NUJ KOGI CHAIRMAN URGES JOURNALISTS TO REGISTER WITH NIPR, SAYS IT’S NOW A PROFESSIONAL IMPERATIVE
…NIPR Begins Advocacy, Warns Of Clampdown On Illegal PR Practice
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kogi State Council has called on all practicing journalists in the state to take advantage of the repositioned Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, and register as professional Public Relations Practitioners.
The call was made on Monday during an advocacy visit by the Kogi State Chairman of NIPR, Alhaji Ismaila Isah, to the NUJ Secretariat in Lokoja.
Addressing journalists, Alhaji Isah described the present era as a “Golden Age of Information Technology and Strategic Communication” where the lines between journalism and public relations have become more blurred.
He said NIPR is the only professional body statutorily empowered by the NIPR Act CAP N114 LFN 2004 to regulate the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria.
“Very soon, the Institute will begin a clampdown on individuals practicing public relations without proper registration. It is now an offense with penalties attached under the law,” he warned.
“This is the golden age of PR. Journalists must regularize their practice by getting registered as professionals or persons with the Institute.”
The NIPR Chairman explained that journalism and PR are sister professions, and registration with NIPR gives journalists an added professional edge.
Alhaji Isah listed key benefits for journalists who join the Institute to include: Professional Certification, Capacity Building, Access to trainings, workshops, PR clinics and continuous professional development.
The NIPR State Chairman said the institute provides Legal Backing, Networking and for Career Diversification, opens opportunities in corporate communication, reputation management, crisis communication and consultancy beyond the newsroom.
He added that the NUJ remains a veritable platform to transition journalists into certified PR professionals.
In his remarks, the Kogi State NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Seidu Adamu, represented by his Vice Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Obansa, described NIPR as “the best place to be in the unfolding practice of Public Relations.”
In his remarks, Alhaji Seidu Adamu called on all working journalists in the state to register with the Institute without delay.
“As journalists, we already do PR work in government, corporate and private organizations. It is time we get the right certification and recognition. NIPR will give us that professional legitimacy,” he said.
The highlight of the visit was the decoration of the NUJ State Chairman and the State Secretary by the NIPR Chairman as part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the two bodies.
The NIPR advocacy team and NUJ executives agreed to work together to mobilize journalists across the 21 LGAs for registration and training.
The meeting ended with a joint resolution that all journalists handling PR functions in ministries, agencies and private organizations must regularize with NIPR to avoid running afoul of the law.
