Public Relations practitioners in Nigeria have been urged to set high standards of practice so as to distinguish themselves from quacks parading themselves as professionals.
This was stated by Chairman of the Plateau State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr Thomas Bajeh at the 2023 Award/Dinner Ceremony of the Chapter held at Korrets Hamlet in Jos, Plateau State.
He emphasised on the commitment of the NIPR to ridding the profession of quacks, and urged certified members to place a premium on excellence through diligence and adherence to professional ethics.
Bajeh said the chapter would continue to pursue programmes designed to upscale the competence of members by providing opportunities for training and retraining.
He said the current Chapter’s Executive Council which he leads, has organised various activities designed to showcase the relevance of the institute to society. Some of which include organising an awareness creation programme in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the last voters’ registration exercise.
The Chairman added that the chapter also organised a town hall engagement with the governorship candidates of various political parties in Plateau State before the February, 2023 general elections.
He called on members to demonstrate more commitment to the chapter through regular payment of dues and participation in the chapter’s activities.
Council member of the NIPR, Prof. Sarah Lwahas, on her part, emphasised on the determination of the institute to enforce the NIPR Act, disclosing that a task force to identify and flush out unregistered practitioners would soon swing into action.
She urged members to be committed to upholding high ethical values to earn the profession respect.
Nine people were honoured with awards at the ceremony. They include the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Vice President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Agriculture Development Fund, Mr Muhammed Abu Ibrahim and a veteran media practitioner, Nde Gideon Barde.
Other recipients were the Plateau State Government, a former Council Member, Mr Haroun Audu, Mr. Fred Chagu, Mrs. Ruth Abwo, Mr Yakubu Gomos and Mrs. Rosemary Ettaba.
