NIPR President Mukhtar Sirajo
NIPR President Mukhtar Sirajo
Communique: NIPR, PR Practioners and National
Cohesion
A COMMUNIQUE OF THE 2019 ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE
NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS ON ‘OPTIMIZING PUBLIC
RELATIONS STRATEGIES FOR NATIONAL COHESION’ HELD THURSDAY 2ND MAY
2019 AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA, FCT.
1.0. PREAMBLE
A Communique of the 2019 Annual National Conference of the Nigerian
Institute of Public Relations on ‘Optimizing Public Relations
Strategies for National Cohesion’ –held on Thursday 2nd May, 2019
at the International Conference Centre, Area 10, Garki, Abuja,
FCT.
The purpose of the annual national conference was to address a
critical issue that has become a clog in the wheel of the nation’s
steady and sustainable progress; to review and reconsider what has
gone wrong and how did we get to this point of disconnection as a
nation; to lend professional counsel on efforts towards restoring
the trajectory of peaceful co-existence in Nigeria; and to
re-evaluate negative impact of relationship breakdown occasioned by
absolute erosion of once revered cultural values as one of the
problems threatening the unity of the nation; etc.
Other Objectives:
• To appraise and evaluate the practice of public relations among
members in the out-going year according to NIPR calendar.
• To train and educate members on contemporary strategies and
methodologies that will enhance PR practice among members.
• To critically analyses PR issues in Nigeria’s polity and seek for
ways of addressing such.
• To receive reports of activities of the Governing Council and the
National Secretariat as well as financial report of the year in
line with the NIPR Act.
In laying the tone for the Conference, the Chairman of Council
and President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mallam
Mukhtar Sirajo underscored NIPR commitment to its role in bridging
national cohesion. According to him, NIPR as the sole body
entrusted with the responsibility of managing reputation, promoting
friendship, deepening relationship, and regulating activities of
Public Relations in the country, is poised to once more lend its
professional competence on efforts towards restoring the trajectory
of peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. He further noted that no
entity grows or develops in disunity. ‘Let’s go back to our unique
culture of love for one another, strong bond of brotherhood that
knows no tribe or religion, habit of hospitality that does not
emphasize state of origin, and let’s embrace tolerance as an option
for co-existence’, he said.
The lead paper presenter, Bishop Matthew Kuka, stated that the
problem with Nigeria is inability to manage capacity. He observed
that we, as Nigerians are in trouble because we live in a country
where people are only comfortable appointing their brothers,
sisters, nephews, cousins etc, to work as special assistants or
commissioners over much brighter Nigerian with more appropriate
capacity. He also decried the current state of Nigerian
Universities, a supposed citadel of unity, now turned to
‘Provincial Enclave of Bigotry’. In his opening remark, the
Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, represented by
Charlse Ojugbana, Director Documentation and Publication in the
Ministry, challenged the institute to work very hard to eliminate
quacks in the practice of public relations profession in
Nigeria.
2.0. OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1. Observations
Arising from papers presented and discussions at the conference the
following observations where made;
1. Nigeria is a poor country due to of bureaucratization of
institutions and government functions.
2. Education and capacity building are fundamental to building
national cohesion
3. One of the key challenges of Nigeria’s development and cohesion
is the absence of intellectual and professional counsel
4. There exists wide delusion of constitutional provisions on the
rights and privileges of Nigerians.
5. There is Increasing fragmentation of the Nigerian polity along
ethnic, regions and tribal lines.
6. Appointment of non-professionals and quack in frontline public
relations positions in Ministries, department and Agencies.
7. Non adherence to the professional ethics and code of conduct of
public relations in Nigeria,
8. The reign of mediocrity in key sectors of Nigeria economy,
political and social landscapes fueling disunity was observed
9. NIPR facing enormous challenge of owning and discharging its
constitutional mandate as a result of increasing number of quacks
was noted.
10. Poor Understanding of the professional – role of Public
relations by MDAs is a major setback in NIPR contribution to
building national cohesion.
11. There is systemic resistance in appointment of certified PR
professionals to man strategic PR and Communication functions of
MDAs.
12. Increasing focus of elected and appointed leaders on preferred
ethnic and religious groups and Lack of political-will in policy
implementation is negatively fueling disunity among Nigerians.
2.2. Recommendation
1. Reports on State of cohesion in Nigeria should be published
annually, widely disseminated and effectively utilized by relevant
institutions for sustained cohesion and unity of the country.
2. The government should initiate and implement effective national
cohesion monitoring framework and indicators – in short, medium and
long term.
3. Government and institutions alike should prioritize capacity
building which is imperative for building and sustaining national
cohesion.
4. The process of hiring and appointing leaders in MDAs should be
reviewed to make room for multi-talented and non-tribalized
administrators to manage institutions in Nigeria.
5. To make Nigeria functional again, capacity building must be fed
Bottom-Up for optimum benefits in all sectors of the economy.
6. Government and private organizations should appoint only
certified professionals in managing public relations, communication
and brand building services.
7. NIPR must step up processes to eradicate quacks in public
relations practice in Nigeria.
8. NIPR Leadership should intensify discussion with Head of Service
of the federation for proper placement of NIPR professional Diploma
holders and certified professional in Civil Service schemes.
9. Elected and appointed political officials should engage the
services of NIPR certified professionals to guide national
narratives.
10. Government should collaborate with NIPR on every issue
concerning the National reputation, sustenance of the Nigeria
brand, communication across borders and overall decision on the
Nigerian Brand.
11. Ministry of Information should mandate all MDAs to create a
space for Certified PR Professionals in line with the decision of
the national council on information formulated three years ago.
3.0. APPRECIATION
The NIPR expresses its their appreciation and gratitude to the
institute presiding Minister and Minister of Information, Alhaji
Lai Mohammed; our lead paper presenter, Bishop Matthew Kuka, the
panelists and discussants for taking out time to share their
experience and also reinvent this conversation for revitalization
of NIPR promise to Nigeria. We also thank our vibrant participants
for their invaluable contributions.
Eric Adile Iroajugh
For Communique Committee
Mukthtar Sirajo
President NIPR