By joshua 
NIPR Warns Against Unlicensed Practice as Kogi Chapter Inaugurates New Exco
The National President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, FNIPR, has warned that individuals practicing public relations without membership and certification from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations risk legal sanctions under the institute’s enabling law.
Speaking on behalf of the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, FNIPR, the Chairman of the Chapter Development and Support Committee, Dr. Ahmad Sajoh, gave the warning on Saturday during the inauguration of the new Executive Committee of the NIPR Kogi State Chapter in Lokoja.
Dr. Sajoh conveyed the goodwill of the national leadership and commended stakeholders in Kogi for reviving the chapter. He charged the newly inaugurated exco to provide purposeful, ethical, and inclusive leadership that would strengthen the institute and deepen members’ participation. He also urged students present to remain committed to professionalism, describing them as the future of the profession in Nigeria.
The inauguration took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Lokoja. In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Mr. Ismaila Isah, MNIPR, said the event marked the beginning of a new phase for the chapter. He described his emergence as an honour and a call to service aimed at strengthening the public relations profession and restoring the chapter’s vibrancy.
Isah emphasized unity, innovation, ethical conduct, and collective responsibility among members. He noted that public relations remains critical to nation-building, strategic communication, conflict resolution, and reputation management, especially amid challenges of misinformation and declining public trust.
The chairman paid tribute to pioneers who kept the chapter active through difficult periods, including Pastor Ogala Sani, Pastor James Adedoyin, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, Chief Steven Salawu, Mr. John Amobeda, Mr. Adeku Adava, Mr. Austyn Ochu, and Mr. Emmanuel Boro.
He assured members that the administration would be guided by transparency and purposeful leadership, focusing on strengthening membership participation, promoting professional development, deepening stakeholder engagement, encouraging young professionals, and ensuring a credible transition to a substantive executive council.
The Registrar of the Institute, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue, FNIPR, congratulated the new leadership and urged members to uphold the ethical standards of the profession. The Chairman of the NIPR FCT Chapter, Mr. Stanley Ogadigo, FNIPR, also reaffirmed the FCT chapter’s support for NIPR in Kogi State.
The Registrar administered the oath of office to the new executive members. The chapter also unveiled branded materials to strengthen its identity during advocacy and student engagement programmes, supported by a financial donation from the FCT chapter.
The newly inaugurated executive committee comprises: Ismaila Isah, Chairman; Tade Oshaloto, Vice Chairman; Mike Abuh, Secretary; Fati Ohiare, Assistant Secretary/ICT; Bishop Aturu, Public Relations Officer; Nwankwo Daniel, Welfare Officer; Yemi Balogun, Treasurer; Khadijat Abubakar, Financial Secretary; and Tairu Momoh, Internal Auditor. Ex-officio members are Suleiman Ibrahim, Emmanuel Bello, and Austyn Ochu.