Benue partners NIPR to standardise PR practice in Nigeria

By: Ede Ogaba Ede

The Benue State Government has pledged it’s support to the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR) in it’s bid to sanitise, energise, and standardize the practice of public relations in the country.

Governor Samuel Ortom made the pledge today at the Benue People’s House when he received the President and Chairman in council of the Institute, Mallam Murktar Zubairu Sirajo and other national officers, who are in the state to celebrate with Dr. Tyotom Keghku.

Governor Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu stated that the NIPR has a central role in getting Nigeria out of dire straits it is in at the moment, and promised government partnership and support in sanitising and reinvigorating the practice of public relations in the country.

He lamented the damage, the absence of effective communication, which, he said is the tool for public relations has done in the country, and prayed that the mistrust and divisions along ethnic, religious and sectional lines should not tear the country apart.

Earlier, Mallam Sirajo had explained that they were in Makurdi to honour an icon in the field of public relations, Dr. Tyotom Keghku. He sought for the assistance of the Benue State government in implementing the NIPR law, which criminalises the practice of communication without due certification.

He complained that successive governments have not given proper attention to communication and said that the dearth of effective communication has accentuated the crises in the country.

He called on the Benue State Government and governments at all levels to engage members of the NIPR in the governance process

One of the highlights of the courtesy call was a one minute silence observed at the instance of Engr. Benson Abounu in memory of the flamboyant politician and NIPR guru, late Chief Senator J.K.N Waku, whose footprints are still visible several years after his death.

On hand to receive the delegation were the state Head of Service, Mrs Veronica Onyeke, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Comrade Ojotu Ojema , Commissioner for Works, Engr. Alex Shaapera and Hon. Barr. Jacob Ogwuche, Special Adviser to the Governor.