NIPR and Assiduous Efforts to Rebuild Nigeria
By Kabir Abdulsalam
Recently, excelled personalities, top government officials, academics, youths, and other relevant stakeholders across the country, have gathered in Abuja to witness an event themed “reopen conversation, build trust,” organized by the Nigerian Institute Public Relations (NIPR).
The event was unique as it had colorful presentations by outstanding PR practitioners who have gathered enormous experience in the profession after which new members were inaugurated so that, they, too, will contribute their quota to the development of public relations, in different creative ways.
The colorful event was hosted along with the institute’s grand finale of the Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace & Security/AGM and the Fellowship medallion was decorated by the Institute’s President and the Chairman, Governing Council of NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Zubair Sirajo, the body that licenses practitioners of public relations in Nigeria.
As seen in many other institutions and professional bodies, the position of Fellow is the peak of the body conferred on members who have paid their dues with many years of practice and membership.
Unlike what other professional bodies do, induction into the fellowship cadre of the NIPR was a tough row to hoe. A decade of experience coupled with a membership certificate is not enough for fellowship conferment. The only to get it is by conducting research to come up with academically compliant work and present them to demonstrate experiences gathered practically.
After attaining this lofty position, the Fellow has voting rights in the affairs of the Institute and may use the acronym ‘FNIPR’. Aside from this professional ladder, there is a special NIPR membership upgrade program introduced by the Council to ensure adequate care and upward mobility for its members on the membership hierarchy.
All these processes were made by the council to build a credible, dynamic, and responsive professional Institute; promote excellence through members and uphold the Code of Ethics as well as get stakeholders’ commitment to professional standards. As the new fellows celebrate their new feather in their career, it is essential to note that the conferment is a national task given to them.
Speaking at the induction of 80 new members and upgrade of 16 members, Sirajo said “new fellows were selected based on merit. They were picked after a thorough screening process strictly carried out by the institute’s Fellowship Advisory Committee.”
Expectedly, Nigerians are waiting to see a strong and unwavering commitment toward identifying workable solutions to enhancing national integration for resolving most of the socio-economic and political challenges bedeviling the country.
Meanwhile, the 2-day event provides a robust platform for Nigerians to engage on critical issues on peaceful coexistence and nation-building.
Mal. Sirajo said the “summit was a vehicle of a solution-driven initiative to address issues of national cohesion and reconciliation for national development.
“The institute believes no sacrifice is too much for a nation like Nigeria which God has bestowed with outstanding people and resources.
”It is for this reason that we challenge government organizations and individuals to always place Nigeria first above personal and any other interest.
“The citizens, especially the youths should be educated on security consciousness and national unity. This can be achieved through an awareness campaign for peaceful coexistence.”
The event also features the presentation of reports of the Zonal Dialogue Series, plenary, syndicate sessions, and other activities.
At the great ceremony, President Buhari through his Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, reminded Nigerians that the current insecurity in the country was worsened by the rising fake news and misinformation, urging Nigerians to crosscheck all information before sharing.
President Buhari commended the NIPR for organizing the event, noting that as a key stakeholder in the Nigerian project, the institute’s contribution to the discourse on national unity was a practical and positive contribution to the pressing challenges of peace and security in the country.
Notable dignitaries who spoke at the event include Barr. Mrs. Adepeju Jaiyeoba, Rev. Ladi Thompson, Dr. James Komolafe, Dr. Ahmed Isah, Dr. Audu Ogbe, Prof. Anya O. Anya, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, Mr. Jerry Gana, former governor of Kano State, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, and Rep. Ado Doguwa.
