NIPR Tasks Fellows on Increased Value, Impact

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has called on its Fellows to brace up for higher values to the Institute especially in its drive to mentor and equip younger PR professionals with the needed skills to perform effectively.

This advice was given on Wednesday by the NIPR Acting President, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura while addressing participants at the end of a 2-day capacity building programme, Reputation Roundtable in Abuja organised by the FCT Chapter of the Institute.

He said that a situation where Fellows see the elevation of their membership cadre as an opportunity to take back seat in the affairs of the Institute undermines its efforts to raise a credible successor generation of PR practitioners who will take up the mantle in the near future and effectively defend the profession.

"Fellows must take leadership they ought to provide in the Institute but that is not what it is in most cases. We have so many Fellows that are not available to mentor the young ones.

"Fellows of NIPR must maintain closeness with their Chapters because the Institute's by-law makes it compulsory for Fellows to be available to support the chapter leadership in ensuring that we groom quality practitioners", he advised.

The Acting President also announced plan by the Institute to host a "Fellowship Conclave" at the Annual General Meeting of the Institute in Uyo this year.

The exclusive programme, he said, will re-energise and reposition Fellows, who are holders of the Institute's highest membership category to make meaningful impact and add value.

Prof. Dandaura, a one-time member of the Chapter also commended the leadership for organising the capacity development programme, reiterating the commitment of NIPR for training and retraining of members to ensure they are up-to-date with right skills to succeed.

In his remarks, a former President of NIPR, Mazi Mike Okereke described reputation as a key asset to every individual and organisation which must not be lost. 

While underlining that the country is passing through a difficult time, Mazi Okereke who was also the pioneer chairman of FCT Chapter, urged all Nigerians to join in the efforts to rebuild the country's image, noting that no meaningful development can be achieved if the nation's reputation is not well managed. 

He expressed delight that nearly 35 years since establishment, the NIPR FCT has continued to grow from strength to strength, applauding the leadership for being visionary. 

In his keynote address,  Dr. Danladi Bako, a former Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), said that it takes only one bad act to destroy a reputation that was built over the years.

According to him, a bad reputation of a particular citizen could create problems for other citizens.

He gave an example via Nigerian Green Passport, adding that the fact that some Nigerians with bad attitude are serving jail terms in other countries does not mean that all Nigerians have a bad reputation.

“However, reputation is not cast on stone, you can change it through reputation reinvention.

“In fixing a bad reputation, you must reinvent yourself by embracing a new lease of life and probably do a career change in some cases.

“We have seen people jailed for fraud and criminality turn a new leaf and also go as far as a change of name. Another way of fixing it is marketing your new position.

“By and large, you need to build a reputation in such a way that nobody can destroy it,” Bako said.

Dignitaries present include Council Members of NIPR; former NIPR Presidents Mazi Mike Okereke and Prof. Rotimi Oladele; former DG of NBC, Dr. Danladi Bako; First Vice Chairman, Nigeria Reputation Management Group, Hajiya Lami Tumaka; the CEO, Brabchaus Communications Ltd, Chido Nwakanma; Group Manager, Marketing and Communications of Ibom Airlines Ltd, Aniekan Essienette; Fellows of the Institute; and others.