Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has inducted 70 students as student members, 53 Associate members, 15 Fellows of the Institute and four Honourary Fellowships.
Speaking during the induction in Abeokuta at the ongoing NIPR Week , its President, Ike Neliaku, urged the new inductees and fellows of the Institute to uphold the highest professional standard and key into the value addition approach of the institute .
The NIPR president announced that the Institute was establishing a Finishing School, modelled in line with the Nigerian Law School to produce thorough-bred and certified professionals.
Neliaku said there was a need for the Public Relations practitioners to continue to strive toward adding value to the economic transformation of the country.
He described Public Relations as a valuable tool to promote good governance.
He said that government must continue to engage the services of professionals in the image projection of government activities in the country.
Neliaku noted that plans were on by the Institute to establish Public Relations University in Nigeria , adding that the Council of the Institute had initiated programmes that would better the lots of members.
He further explained that the bold step to establish NIPR energy, aviation, maritime, banking, insurance, pension, and enterprise hubs was to improve the its economic base.
The Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mohammed Bulama, described his induction into the Institute as a call to join the efforts to reposition it.
Bulama promised to be a good ambassador of the NIPR in the discharge of his duties.
Another inductee , Dr Chijioke Ukadike, Head of Corporate and Strategic Communications of Rivers Port Complex, Nigeria Ports Authority, renewed his determination to the upliftment of public relations.
”It’s not something you can pay money to get, we were screened thoroughly by a panel of 20 experts. We are proud that such Institute exists in Nigeria.
”As a fellow, it’s an enormous responsibility to champion professionalism in Nigeria,” he stated.