The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alh. Mohammed Idris has commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for the critical role it played in designation of Public Relations as a cadre in civil service across the federation.
In a release issued by the Director, Public Relations Stanley Ogadigo to journalists in Abuja, the Minister said that the Federal Government will continue to provide the needed support for Public Relations practice in Nigeria.
“Nigeria was, for the longest time, the only country in Africa that had a law that professionalized public relations. It was Nigeria that started it on the continent, and only last year did Zambia come out with its own law. So now we have two countries on the continent, and only now in Kenya, the bill for professionalizing public relations is at the second reading in Parliament.”
Alhaji Mohammed said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the NIPR and Global Alliance for the establishment of a degree-awarding institution for Public Relations and Leadership in Nigeria was a welcome development.
He also commended the recent emergence of Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, a Fellow of the NIPR, FCT Chapter, as the Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA).
It could be recalled that the NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, last week, led a delegation comprising the President of Global Alliance, Prof. Justin Green, President of APRA, Mr. Arik Karani, and other dignitaries, who were in the country for the Institute’s 60th Anniversary on a courtesy call to the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
