Appropriate nomenclature for press officers or information officers was the fulcrum of discussions at a public lecture organised by the Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) in Ilorin, the state capital on Thursday.
Public relations experts and media guru which included a member of the International Press Institute (IPI), founders/ chief executives of media outfits; upcoming journalists and public relations officers, gathered at the NIPR’s secretariat along Offa Extension road, GRA, Ilorin to brainstorm on the future of the public relations practitioners.
Speakers including the guest lecturer, Alh Saadu Salahu, a fellow of NIPR, a member of IPI and fellow of NIPR, Alh Raheem Adedoyin, founder of Albarka FM, Ganmo, Alh Bashir Adigun, chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, Ahmed ‘Lanre Abdullateef , a veteran broadcaster, Hajia Jumoke Adeyemi and the state chairman of NIPR, Mr Gbenga Ishola, bared their minds on the topic of discourse.
The guest speaker, Alh SaaduSalahu called on the governing council of NIPR to present a new bill to the National Assembly for the amendment of the nomenclature of public relations practitioners working in government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and and public institutions.
He said it is high time such practitioners’ nomenclature is changed from information or press officers to public relations officers.
Salahu’s in a paper was titled “Post Retirement PR Practice: Prospects and Challenges.
“This is long overdue, given the fact that the nomenclature of information officers, dating back to pre-colonial era is archaic, stereo-typical and unsuitable for the tempo, speed, taste and demand of contemporary digital era.
“Happily, the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris Malagi, Makama Nupe is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.
“May I therefore through our own Kwara members of the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Institute call on Dr. Neliaku -led Governing Council to prioritise initiating a bill seeking to amend the nomenclature of our colleagues in government MDAs and institutions at all levels from information / press officers through an Executive Bill by the office of the current Minister of Information and National Orientation.”
Salahu said the bill if passed into law will deepen the consciousness of all to the management and leadership capacity of public relations professionals in the MDAs and as well strengthen excellence in professionalism in the performance of their duties in line with all that is public relations.
According to him such a development will also bring to the front burner the two way – dimensions of communication which is fundamental to public relations as a profession, adding that, “it will align with public relations’ emphasis and indeed the NIPR on continuing capacity professional capacity building needed to reposition public relations professionals and departments in MDAs in the current digitally driven communication industry.”
The guest lecturer noted that Nigeria presents the largest and best thriving market for professional public relations practitioners and members of the NIPR in or out of pensionable employment.
“With over 200 million human population, abundance of untapped natural endowments, political stability and good governance, peace and security, conducive environment for business investors including ease of doing business to make the country investors’ destination, Nigeria presents the largest and best thriving market for professional public relations practitioners and members of the NIPR in or out of pensionable employment,” Salahu submitted.
He added that opportunities abound for post retirement public relations practice in many fields of human endeavours which include, but not limited to political public relations, financial public relations, educational public relations, international public relations, investor’s public relations, community relations, pharmaceutical public relations, technological public relations and
security and peace public relations.
Salahu added: “Need we emphasize that our current experience and circumstances present the best opportunity for such public relations practitioners to awaken the current crop of political leaders to prioritize creation of enabling environment for employment opportunities , wealth creation and economic prosperity for the restive youths as part of practical solutions to addressing the multi- dimensional poverty , hunger and insecurity ?
“Must we reiterate the urgent imperatives for such professionals to deploy their communication strategies at addressing the rising mistrust between the government and the governed , the leaders and the led ?
“We surely need the creativity of seasoned public relations practitioners to rise up and support the current administration in righting the wrongs of Nigeria in leadership policy direction over 60 years after the nation’s political independence .
“Tested, experienced public relations experts and patriots need to design strategies capable of addressing unacceptable growing level of distrust and hatred among Nigerians from different tribes ,regions and religions which rather constitute our strenghts in diversity against other Nations.
“In addition, we need such public relations practitioners to avail the nation their unique communication expertise and experience at awakening the current crop of political actors and players to the imperative of over all essence of political power and authority at redistributing the nation’s resources towards addressing the irreconcilable rising gap between the rich and the poor.
“Nigeria urgently needs such experienced professionals to awaken teeming population of Nigeria’s youths to unlimited but untapped Nigeria potentials towards full realisation and actualisation of their aspirations instead of the ‘japa’ mantra which take them to modern slavery for the development of other nations.
“What more , we can draw our inspiration from many of our public relations icons and role models who have excelled both before and after retirement.”
Salahu expressed his gratitude to Kwara State governor and chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq for giving him the opportunity to serve in his admimistration as Special Adviser on Political matters and later as Special Adviser on Strategy .
“The rare opportunity has enriched my horizon and provided me uncommon insights on political public relations which is relatively new in Nigeria .
In addition, differently but very effectively,’ the Governor is demonstrating his leadership support to the NIPR by involving Fellows of the Institute in the State variously in governance in addition to our proud member , Rafiu Ajakaiye who is the governor’s chief press secretary,” he said.
Also speaking, a member of IPI, Alh Raheem Adedoyin, advised young public relations practitioners to prioritise training and retraining in order for them to remain relevant and abreast of new developments in the the public relations practice.
He emphasised that public relations practitioners hardly retire from the practice expect those working in government MDAs, noting that private practice offers the practitioners a lifetime opportunity.
In her remarks, Hajia Jumoke Adeyemi, advised public relations practitioners to devote more time to their jobs and take adequate care of their health.
The founder of Albarka FM, Ganmo, Alh Bashir Adigun, lent his voice to the calls for training and retraining of the public relations practitioners.
The state chairman of NIPR, Mr Gbenga Ishola thanked the guest lecturer for presenting a well researched paper.
He said Salahu’s presentation has opened their minds to the prospects inherent in public relations practice.
Diginitaries that the graced the colourful event included the chairman of Arewa Consultatives Forum (ACF) in Kwara and a university don, Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya, senior special assistant on Religion (Islam), Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro, the chairman of Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ahmed ‘Lanre Abdullateef, the general manager of Kwara Television Service (KWTV), Alh Ayobami Akanbi, a lecturer at Kwara State University, Malete, Dr Yunus Baraje, Engr Sikiru Oloje, director of media and documentation of ACF, Alh Abdullahi Olesin, two former chairman of Kwara State NUJ,Abiodun AbdulKareem and Umar AbdulWahab, among others.
