Wanted: A Due Recognition for PR Profession
Public relations Practices, many will think is all about telling lies or say what will please your principal, while some see it as flaunting their thoughts on social networks.
But very few know much about what PR is all about, or why few companies invest so much to shore up its reputation.
Public relations, as a profession, entails managing communication between an organization and its key public stakeholders, with a focus on building and maintaining a positive image.
In this case, PR practices has become a mechanism for achieving desire goal. sharing the right information to right places and people and to build brand reputation. It had suggested by different experts that if properly utilities, Nigeria will harness her potential.
Hajia Maryam Sanusi, the chairman Federal Capital Territory Chapter of NIPR, at a function, fervently advocated for corporate organisations to utilise the service Public Relations practitioners in their communication strategies.
This was declared at the annual general meeting of the institute with the theme: ‘Harnessing Diversity for Nation Building; The Public Relations Perspective.’
Hajia Sanusi , Deputy Director Information and the Spokesperson of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, exonorates reason for both public and private organisations to seek the services of PR officers to deepen their communication and understanding the audience perception.
She added: “Obviously, the Public Relations profession remains a profession for the future and this cannot be disputed. Every individual and organizations need a PR to survive.
“Government and other professionals need a PR to reach out to their valued stakeholders. A profession which emphasizes constant communication to engender trust, love and mutual understanding between and among our various stakeholders termed ‘Publics’ cannot be said to be off the cuff, especially when we factor in the consequences of disharmony, distrust and misunderstanding in our relationship with one another.
“I make bold therefore to enjoin such organizations, individuals or government who has failed to see the importance of PR in their day to day operations to as a matter of priority, establish and entrench PR and deploy its many tools for their maximal benefit going forward. She added.
Apperantely, PR agencies, when deployed appropriate tools help organizations to craft the right messages to resonate with their target customers in impactful ways. While also assist in managing reputation, promote brand values, strengthens community relations, creates opportunistic , enhances online presence and deployed for criss communication to mention few.
The mudane event planned with colourful heart beat was hosted at 5 star hotel in Nigeria’s capital, Sharaton Hotel, gathered personalities such as FCT minister, Sani Bello,represented by his Chief of Staff, Bashir Mohammed Mai-Borno, Sen. Philip Aduda, Senate Minority Whip as the special guest of honour, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, President, African Public Relations Association (APRA) as the Chairman of the occasion; Dr. Sam Amadi former Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as the keynote speaker; HRM Alh. (Dr) Adamu Baba Yunusa (MRF), the Ona of Abaji chairman FCT council of chiefs as the Royal Father of the Day among others.
The PR profession is one that is invaluable in modern times. The level of global attraction it has attracted is sheer. But in Nigeria, unlike other climes, we still need to more for the PR profession to become a ‘starboy’.
Kabir Abdulsalam, staff writer for Spokespersons Digest
