Imo NIPR Elects New Exco, Warns Quacks

Public Relations practitioners in Imo State have elected a new eight-man executive council to drive the affairs of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in the state for the next two years.

The election represents part of the Annual General Meeting/Convention and Leadership Luminary Awards of the chapter, attracting heavy weights from PR practice, the academia, government, the traditional institution and the clergy.

PRO of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Ever Bezze Nwosu, leads the new exco as chairman, with media personality, Zanders Okeke Otigba as vice chairman and Orakwe Ezugwu as secretary.

The election also produced Mrs Violet Igwe as assistant secretary, Lady Chika Iheanacho as financial secretary; FUTHO PRO, Dr Jacy Achonu as treasurer; Destiny Akunesi as public relations executive and ace broadcast journalist, Ukana Omon as assistant public relations executive.

While tasking the new council to increase membership and visibility of the chapter, NIPR national president, Ike Neliaku declared that the era of quackery was gone.

Dr Neliaku who was represented by NIPR council member and Imo State commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Ozumba Princeford, said that the NIPR had set up an enforcement and compliance committee to clamp down on persons practicing PR without a license with effect from January, 2024. Neliaku advised unlicensed practitioners to use the period of grace to register with the chapter.

Speaking further, Neliaku disclosed that the NIPR has achieved a breakthrough that would see PR experts engaged to renew the image of the country through technical partnerships with key government institutions. He therefore urged registered members to update their professional skills to seize emerging opportunities.

Amid the glamour and glitz, Archbishop (Emeritus) Anthony Obinna, Eze Peter Onyewuenyi (Ezena III of Obibiezena Ancient Kingdom), Mazi E.A.C. Orji, and Prof Bertram Maduka Ozumba bagged the prestigious NIPR Leadership Luminary Awards.

In his remark, state chairman, Ever Bezze Nwosu said that the NIPR carefully chose the quartet for their outstanding contributions to good governance in the state.