By joshua KOGI NUJ CHAIRMAN URGES JOURNALISTS TO REGISTER WITH NIPR, DESCRIBES IT AS “PROFESSIONAL IMPERATIVE”
…NIPR Begins Statewide Advocacy, Warns Of Clampdown On Illegal PR Practice
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kogi State Council has urged all practicing journalists in the state to take advantage of the repositioned Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, and register as professional Public Relations practitioners.
The call was made on Monday during an advocacy visit by the Kogi State Chairman of NIPR, Alhaji Ismaila Isah, to the NUJ Secretariat in Lokoja.
Addressing NUJ State Executives, Alhaji Isah described the present era as the “Golden Age of Information Technology and Strategic Communication” where the lines between journalism and public relations have become increasingly blurred.
He noted that NIPR remains the only professional body statutorily empowered by the NIPR Act CAP N114 LFN 2004 to regulate the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria.
“Very soon, the Institute will commence a clampdown on individuals practicing public relations without proper registration. It is now an offense under the law and it attracts penalties,” he warned.
“This is the golden age of PR. Journalists must regularize their practice by getting registered as professionals with the Institute.”
The NIPR Chairman explained that journalism and PR are sister professions, and that registration with NIPR gives journalists an added professional edge and legal backing.
Alhaji Isah listed the key benefits for journalists who join the Institute to include: Professional Certification, Capacity Building through trainings, workshops, PR clinics and continuous professional development.
He added that the institute provides the Legal Backing to practice PR without fear of sanction, provides networking opportunities with PR professionals in government, corporate organizations, NGOs and global bodies.
Furthermore, the Institute he added provides for Career Diversification into corporate communication, reputation management, crisis communication and consultancy beyond the newsroom.
He added that the NUJ remains a veritable platform for transitioning journalists into certified PR professionals.
In his remarks, the Kogi State NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Seidu Adamu, represented by the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Obansa, described NIPR as “the best place to be in the unfolding practice of Public Relations.”
Alhaji Adamu called on all working journalists in the state to register with the Institute without delay.
“As journalists, we already do PR work in government, corporate and private organizations. It is time we get the right certification and recognition. NIPR will give us that professional legitimacy,” he said.
The highlight of the visit was the decoration of the NUJ State Chairman and the State Secretary by the NIPR Chairman as a mark of collaboration between the two bodies.
Both the NIPR advocacy team and NUJ executives agreed to work together to mobilize journalists across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state for registration and training.
The meeting ended with a joint resolution that all journalists handling PR functions in ministries, agencies and private organizations must regularize with NIPR to avoid running afoul of the law.
WITH NIPR, DESCRIBES IT AS “PROFESSIONAL IMPERATIVE”
…NIPR Begins Statewide Advocacy, Warns Of Clampdown On Illegal PR Practice
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kogi State Council has urged all practicing journalists in the state to take advantage of the repositioned Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, and register as professional Public Relations practitioners.
The call was made on Monday during an advocacy visit by the Kogi State Chairman of NIPR, Alhaji Ismaila Isah, to the NUJ Secretariat in Lokoja.
Addressing NUJ State Executives, Alhaji Isah described the present era as the “Golden Age of Information Technology and Strategic Communication” where the lines between journalism and public relations have become increasingly blurred.
He noted that NIPR remains the only professional body statutorily empowered by the NIPR Act CAP N114 LFN 2004 to regulate the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria.
“Very soon, the Institute will commence a clampdown on individuals practicing public relations without proper registration. It is now an offense under the law and it attracts penalties,” he warned.
“This is the golden age of PR. Journalists must regularize their practice by getting registered as professionals with the Institute.”
The NIPR Chairman explained that journalism and PR are sister professions, and that registration with NIPR gives journalists an added professional edge and legal backing.
Alhaji Isah listed the key benefits for journalists who join the Institute to include: Professional Certification, Capacity Building through trainings, workshops, PR clinics and continuous professional development.
He added that the institute provides the Legal Backing to practice PR without fear of sanction, provides networking opportunities with PR professionals in government, corporate organizations, NGOs and global bodies.
Furthermore, the Institute he added provides for Career Diversification into corporate communication, reputation management, crisis communication and consultancy beyond the newsroom.
He added that the NUJ remains a veritable platform for transitioning journalists into certified PR professionals.
In his remarks, the Kogi State NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Seidu Adamu, represented by the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Obansa, described NIPR as “the best place to be in the unfolding practice of Public Relations.”
Alhaji Adamu called on all working journalists in the state to register with the Institute without delay.
“As journalists, we already do PR work in government, corporate and private organizations. It is time we get the right certification and recognition. NIPR will give us that professional legitimacy,” he said.
The highlight of the visit was the decoration of the NUJ State Chairman and the State Secretary by the NIPR Chairman as a mark of collaboration between the two bodies.
Both the NIPR advocacy team and NUJ executives agreed to work together to mobilize journalists across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state for registration and training.
The meeting ended with a joint resolution that all journalists handling PR functions in ministries, agencies and private organizations must regularize with NIPR to avoid running afoul of the law.