NIPR Inducts 73 Immigration PROs As CGI Nandap Pushes Professionalism

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has inducted 73 public relations officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), marking a significant milestone in the Service’s drive to professionalise its public communication function and eliminate quackery in information management.

The induction followed the successful completion of a certification and training programme organised through a partnership between the Immigration service and the NIPR.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Comptroller -general of Immigration (CGI), Kemi Nanna Nandap at a ceremony held on Friday at the Service headquarters in Abuja, the deputy comptroller -general (DCG), Franca Nwanneka, described public relations as a strategic management function that has become indispensable to institutional success.

She said the programme underscored the Service’s commitment to building a professional, innovative and service-oriented organisation capable of effectively communicating its reforms and strengthening public confidence.

“Public Relations is no longer merely about disseminating information; it is a strategic function that builds public trust, protects institutional reputation and strengthens stakeholder confidence,” she said.

According to the CGI, the Nigeria Immigration Service has continued to implement far-reaching reforms in border governance, service delivery and technology-driven migration management, noting that such reforms can only achieve their intended impact when effectively communicated to the public.

She urged the newly inducted officers to serve as credible ambassadors of the Service by communicating with professionalism, integrity, accuracy and responsibility.

“As custodians of the Service’s image, you are expected to proactively tell the Service’s story, promote our achievements, manage crises effectively and reinforce public confidence in our mandate,” she stated.

Nandap further challenged the officers to deploy the knowledge acquired during the training in their respective commands and formations, ensuring that their certification translates into improved performance and more strategic stakeholder engagement.

Speaking during the induction, NIPR president and chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, reminded the officers that they occupy one of the most strategic positions in projecting Nigeria’s image to the international community.

He said, “No foreigner comes into Nigeria without passing through you. That means you are the first image makers for anybody coming into this country. People judge Nigeria based on your interface with them.”

Dr. Neliaku charged the officers to become ambassadors of both the Nigeria Immigration Service and the nation by embracing professionalism, patriotism and effective storytelling.

He urged them to take pride in their profession, their organisation and the country, emphasizing that Nigeria’s positive stories must be deliberately told despite existing challenges.

Former Adamawa State commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ahmad Sajoh, who delivered a goodwill lecture, encouraged the officers to combine professionalism with patriotism, stressing that public relations practitioners in the Immigration Service have the added responsibility of protecting Nigeria’s image before the international community.

He described public relations as a leadership function built on trust, noting that national progress depends on credible institutions and effective communication.

In his closing remarks, the Service public relations officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, described the programme as a landmark achievement in the history of the Service.

He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller -general of Immigration for prioritising capacity building and institutional reforms, noting that the mass certification and induction of Public Relations Officers was unprecedented.

Akinlabi also commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for its partnership with the Service, while acknowledging the contributions of former Service public relations officers whose advocacy laid the foundation for the initiative.

He urged participants to sustain the momentum by translating the knowledge acquired into practical action and remaining committed to professionalism, innovation, accuracy and integrity in communicating the activities of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and the formal induction of the 73 officers into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, signifying a new chapter in the professional development of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s public relations cadre.