NAN-H-45
Quacks
By Okeoghene Oghenekaro
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), FCT Chapter, says it is taking proactive measures aimed at weeding out quacks from public relations practice.
The Chairman of the chapter, Dr Tayo Hasstrup, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
Cue in audio (Hasstrup)
“By our set up, we are expected to get rid of quacks.
“So what we are doing is creating more awareness, writing letters to organisations and visiting them to say that if they have anybody there that is practicing public relations but is not a professional and a member of NIPR, such person cannot be there and should be sanctioned.
“That is the message we are going round with because we want NIPR to be professionalised and people that are practicing it to be our members because we train and also certify them and license them as practitioners.’’
Cue out audio (Hasstrup)
Hasstrup stated that it is the duty of PR practitioners to project the image of the country positively in order to attract foreign investors.
The chairman further said the institute is working closely with the presidency towards projectting the country’s image in positive light.
“As PR practitioners it is our duty to encourage the government, the private sector and every Nigerian to have positive communication in the aspect of promoting things about Nigeria and speaking well of the country.
“We have invited the special aide to the president to come and discuss with us the issue of packaging this country and we know that President Muhammad Buhari is in the fore front of this.
“He has travelled round the world trying to speak the truth about this nation and when you speak the truth, people will recognize and respect you and people have started doing that.’’
He said the institute planned to visit embassies in the country with a view to sensitising the officials to the vast resources available in Nigeria.
According to him, this will help woo foreign investors to the country and revive the economy. (NAN)
OKE/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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