The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has inaugurated new a Council at the just concluded Annual General Meeting held in Bauchi to spearhead the activities of the institute. The inauguration was performed virtually immediately after the Council elections by the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed, in line with the statutes of the Institute.
Although the President and Chairman of Council, Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo and ACG Adewale Adeniyi were returned as President and Vice President respectively, the new members inaugurated include Mrs. Thelma Chika Okoh, Dr Ike Neliaku, Mr. Olusina Thorpe, Brig. Gen SK Usman, Rtd, Dr Tayo Haastrup, MrsPrisscilla Ihuoma and Mr. Sunny Osuji
In a similar vein, the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) President, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, was conferred with the prestigious Fellowship Award, the highest membership cadre, alongside 20 other deserving members of the Institute.
Mallam Sirajo conferred the fellowship award on the 21 deserving members during the Annual General Meeting in Bauchi.
Also, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed was vested as a Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, in line with the provisions of Decree 16 of 1990, now an act of parliament.
The investiture was performed by Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo as part of activities marking the Annual General Meeting of the Institute, which held recently at the Command Guest House, Bauchi. Apart from the investiture, the Governor was also conferred with the Honorary Fellowship of the Institute, which is the highest cadre of membership.
Sirajo noted that the decision to confer the prestigious Honorary Fellowship Award on Senator Bala Mohammed is as a result of his support and outstanding contributions to the development of Public Relations in Bauchi State as evidenced by his giant strides which is a symbol of the dividends of Democracy in Bauchi State.
According to him, Senator Bala Mohammed earned the investiture, as the Institute is usually quite reluctant to perform the function on just any governor, although the law allows it. He commended the Governor for remaining focused on delivering on his electoral promises despite daunting challenges from virtually all sectors.
The President further said that the Institute has put on the front burner, the total professionalization of Public Relations, both as a unique profession in its own right, and as an industry generally, noting that the fight against quackery and other misconducts are beginning to bear fruits. He also called on the Governor to direct all Bauchi State officers as well as those working in the public service in various Public Relations Departments to register with, and henceforth participate in the activities of the Institute, as the law establishing the Institute makes it a criminal offence for anybody to practice Public Relations without being a member of the NIPR.
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