PHOTOS: NIPR 60th Anniversary: Gen Babangida, Gov Bago, Minna Emir Commend institute’s performance
Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has underscored the performance of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and charged the organisation to rewrite the narratives by trying to provide a better society for Nigeria and its citizens.
The former Nigerian leader and elder statesman made the commendation when the Institute, led by its governing council, paid him a courtesy call at his uphill Mansion in Minna, the Niger State capital and assisted in cutting the 60th diamond anniversary celebration Cake of the Institute in Minna.
IBB, fondly called by a wide spectrum of Nigerians, expressed happiness over the institute’s achievements, noting that he was proud that the institute is living up to the expectations of the people of Nigeria. He urged for the sustainability of the tempo for the betterment of the country.
Also, in a separate remark, the State Governor, Umaru Bago, has applauded the foresight of a former Military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida(rtd), for signing the 1990 decree that created the charter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) during his tenure as a Military president in the country.
The Governor stated this while receiving NIPR’s National Governing Council at the Government House, Minna, after a road walk to mark the Institute’s Diamond 60th Anniversary celebration with the theme: ‘Safeguarding the Environment of Nigeria’ held in Minna, the Niger state capital.
Governor Bago, represented by the State’s Head of Service (HOS), Abubakar Salisu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to a safe environment by prioritizing the state’s ongoing one million tree planting campaign.
The Governor noted that the state was embarking on an agricultural revolution to ensure food security not only in the state in particular but in the country as a whole, just as he urged the NIPR to assist the state in propagating the ‘New Niger Agenda’.
Similarly, the Emir of Minna, Dr.Umar Faruk Bahago, commends NIPR for recognizing General Babangida’s role in facilitating the decree that empowered the institute to fulfill its statutory mandates on PR practice in Nigeria.
The Emir who received NIPR council members in his Palace, enjoined public relations professionals to continue on the path of truth and positive narratives towards a better society.
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The President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku explained that the Organization is 60 years old, adding that it was established in 1963.
However, he lamented the deforestation, saying, “We must do all that can be done to save the environment, maintain sustainability, and be conscious of the environmental mess to save and restore nature of the future.”
Neliaku explained further that the event was going on simultaneously across the country while in Minna, the Niger State Chapter of NIPR, during its flag-off ceremony, also planted 60 trees at the 3 Arms Zone in Minna as part of an effort to protect the environment to mark the day.
The team, led by the national president, further paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umaru Farouk Bahago, in his Palace to seek his royal blessings.
The monarch, however, appreciated NIPR’s recognition of the country’s traditional institutions and called for commitment and focus in attaining their vision.
In an interactive session with the newsmen, the National President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neiliaku, noted that the NIPR has grown from officers to a management function, but the dynamics have changed as public relations is now a leadership function, hence the increase in PR values for strategic, effective communication.
He rolled out some of the institute’s plans and scorecard, including establishing a PR and leadership university in Nassarawa state. He identified Nigerian challenges as a project, rebirth, citizens, and value reorientation, promoted made-in-Nigeria goods, promoted service delivery, created a museum of national leadership and icons, and created a Nigerian reputation house, among other things.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris (Malagi), who was represented by the Director General of Voice Of Nigeria (VON) Malam, Jibrin Baba Ndace, assured of a sustainable partnership with the NIPR in achieving the federal government’s National value chain policy.
By PRNigeria
