Lagos NIPR holds lecture on reputation, leadership

With Building National Reputation through leadership development as theme, the week-long celebration is expected to attract thousands of PR practitioners locally and from allied PR organizations in the West African hub as well as friends of the Institute from other professional bodies in Lagos and beyond.

The choice of the theme, according to Chairman, Lagos NIPR, Mr. Jide Ologun, who is also a legal practitioner, “is in recognition of the urgent and prevailing need to develop the right leadership culture as a national value.”

The absence of this, Ologun noted, “is responsible for several unsavory outcomes already besetting our dear nation, and its concomitant negative effects on our national reputation and the viability of the economic environment to drive growth and development.” According to him, “the time has come for Nigerians to take seriously the issue of leadership recruitment and good governance, as no nation ever progresses with irresponsible leaders”.

Ologun expressed delight that the institute, at the national level is perfecting strategies to reclaim its enviable position in the scheme of thing in the country, while situating the role Lagos NIPR has been playing in the new effort to rebuild the institute.

He said at the briefing: “You will recall that the new Governing Council was inaugurated on December22, 2009 by the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili. Thereafter, Lagos State Chapter hosted the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Alhaji Mohammed A. Abdulahi, who paid a working visit to Lagos State Chapter in recognition of its strategic importance in repositioning NIPR.

“Subsequently, the Chapter in conjunction with Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, the amiable Council member, representing and coordinating Lagos State Chapter, presented a robust position paper to the National Council on the way forward to the desired and preferred pedestal of professional relevance and prominence.”

The suggestions raised in the paper, Ologun disclosed, were being considered, as “the Council is presently working passionately to drive the desired changes.”

He added, “working with the Chapters, a resolution is being pursued to ensure that States Ministries of Information and Local Government Councils nationwide upgrade their Public Relations units to full departments, headed by directors, for better image and reputation management.

“On this mission, the Nigerian Employers Consultative Council will also be engaged to reach out to the private sector, specifically to promote proactive professional practice that will ensure enabling environment for enhanced productivity, growth and development.”

As a regulatory body, Ologun said, NIPR is determined to ensure the enforcement of the provisions of Act No. 16, 1990, particularly Sections 10, 11 and 13, which mandated every Public Relations practitioner in Nigeria to register with the Institute, and comply with professional Code of conduct.

He also said that the Institute is working intimately with relevant Law Enforcement Agencies at national and states levels to fish and flush out quacks, who, according to him, “are giving the profession a bad name.”

On membership, he noted, the Institute is compiling the list of “financial members” which will form the Members Register. “This is anchored on the premise that financial responsibility is crucial to membership of a professional body. Members are therefore encouraged to promptly fulfill all financial obligations to the Institute,” Ologun asserted.

The theme of the AGM is expected to be discussed at a public lecture on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island featuring Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Chief Phillip Asiodu; Chairman, Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Bruce; former Secretary- General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan; and Chairman, editorial board of The Guardian Newspapers, Dr. Reuben Abati as guest speakers.

Chairman, AGM Planning Committee, Dr. Ken Egbas said other activities lined-up to mark the 21st AGM/PR week would include, a Jumat Service, walk for Good Governance, Charity Football Tourney in honour of Late Bassey Koma, thanksgiving service, social work at the Down Syndrome Centre and Award/Gala night.

Egbas explained that the activities and theme for 2010 AGM have been carefully selected in line with current realities.

Since its establishment in 1999, Lagos NIPR has grown to become an assemblage of all registered and qualified PR practitioners in the state. Over the years, the yearly Public Lecture has turned out to become a strategic and tactical integrated PR platform where issues of development and management of corporate/national reputation and good governance are articulated.

The 21st AGM/PR Week provides a viable platform for brand communications/alignments where also a plethora of promotional and marketing opportunities for corporate organizations could be showcased during and after the event in form of sponsorship and support.