By joshua KOGI NIPR SEEKS STRONGER GOVT COLLABORATION, PARTNERS AGILE PROJECT TO DEEPEN PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, has called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and the Institute to promote professionalism, ethical standards, and strategic communication in the implementation of public programmes.
The call was made on Tuesday during an advocacy visit by members of the Institute to the Kogi State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE, Project Office in Lokoja.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of NIPR Kogi State Chapter, Hon. Ismaila Isah, said the engagement provided an opportunity for both organizations to discuss ways of strengthening public communication, stakeholder engagement, and media relations in the delivery of development programmes across the state.
He commended the State Coordinator of the Kogi AGILE Project, Alh. Ahmed Tijani Oricha, for the warm reception despite the short notice, describing it as a reflection of the Coordinator’s openness and media-friendly disposition.
Hon. Isah explained that NIPR is the statutory professional body saddled with the responsibility of regulating, promoting, and advancing the practice of public relations in Nigeria through professionalism, ethical compliance, capacity building, and the sustenance of public trust.
He noted that effective public relations has become central to the success of government institutions and development partners, as it fosters mutual understanding, strengthens stakeholder confidence, and protects institutional reputation.
The Chairman further emphasized that the NIPR Act makes it mandatory for anyone practicing public relations in Nigeria to be duly registered with the Institute. He urged public and private institutions to ensure that officers handling public relations functions are certified professionals in line with the provisions of the law, noting that the Act prescribes sanctions, including prison terms, for non-compliance.
He called for sustained collaboration between the Kogi NIPR and the AGILE Project in areas of strategic communication, media engagement, reputation management, and public enlightenment to further project the positive impact of the Project across the state.
Hon. Isah also briefed the Project Coordinator on the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum, WPRF, scheduled to hold in Abuja from 15th November 2026. He described the global event as a unique platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and professional development, and appealed for AGILE’s support to facilitate the participation of its communication personnel and support the activities of the Kogi NIPR Chapter.
He commended the Coordinator for the confidence reposed in the Project’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bishop Aturu, stressing that empowering communication professionals to provide strategic counsel enhances transparency, credibility, and public confidence.
In his response, the State Coordinator of the Kogi AGILE Project, Alh. Ahmed Tijani Oricha, thanked the NIPR leadership for the visit and the insights shared on the statutory role of the Institute. He described the engagement as timely and enlightening, and noted that it reinforced the importance of professional public relations in the successful implementation of public sector programmes.
Alh. Oricha also commended the Project’s PRO for his professionalism and strategic communication expertise. He reaffirmed AGILE’s commitment to an open-door policy for responsible media engagement and pledged the agency’s readiness to partner with NIPR in advancing professional communication and development-focused public relations initiatives.
The visit concluded with the presentation of advocacy materials and a shared commitment to fostering ethical communication and stronger collaboration to advance the practice of public relations in Kogi State.
The NIPR delegation also paid a similar advocacy visit to the State Auditor General, Alhaji Yakubu Okala, as part of its ongoing statewide engagement with key government institutions.