The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Delta State Chapter, Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, has affirmed that Public Relations is about reputation, relationship management, inculcating healthy work ethics in the discharge of ones duty for nation building, as well as interpreting government policies and programmes, which helps in the development of a state or a nation.
Mr. Osakwe made this affirmation when he led some Executive Members of Delta State Chapter of NIPR on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Delta State.
Mr Osakwe said that the visit was to congratulate the Honourable Commissioner for his well-deserved appointment and also to affirm collaborative relationships between NIPR and the Ministry of Information under his leadership.
“We have followed your track records, and we know that you will bring your experience to bear, to effectively communicate the right values, as well as government programmes and policies for the buy-in of Deltans and other stakeholders” Osakwe declared.
He further urged other professionals and key staff members of the Ministry to brace up to the responsibilities ahead and to work in synergy with the Commissioner to achieve its objectives for His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State.
“No doubt, with the problems of trust deficit among Nigerians, professional communicators must be at the cutting edge of creating engaging content to tell their stories and be innovative in their communication approach so as to able to navigate the daunting multifaceted challenges of today’s volatile environment,” he said
Also, while relating the history of the Institute to the Commissioner, Mr. Osakwe explained that Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, which was established in 1963 is only the Institute in Nigeria that is backed by law, Decree 16, of 1990, Now an Acts of the National Assembly with the sole mandate to register and regulate the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria, and one of two such Institutes in Africa.
He also informed the Commissioner that there is a new law that states that all information officers, commissioners for information, spokespersons of any organization, or government/ parastatal must be certified members of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Mr. Osakwe expressed hope as he looks forward to a robust working relationship with the Commissioner and the Ministry of Information.
In his response, the Commissioner for Information Dr. Ifeanyi Osouza expressed delight at the visit.
He expressed appreciation to the executives of the Institute for what they do towards driving home the objectives of government, especially the M.O.R.E agenda of the governor.
He tasked members of the executives to play their role to ensure that the vision of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is a reality, stressing the fact that the governor is passionate about the development of Delta State.
Dr. Osouza stated, “If we are able to give him our needed corporation, he will do much more than he is doing now.”
The Information Commissioner pledged to support the Institute and accepted the call for membership.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of the membership form to the Honourable Commissioner, and a minute silence was observed in memory of the father of the Information boss who passed on a few days ago.
NAN
