Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture on Thursday, commended Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for its continued efforts at sustaining, developing and advancing public relations practice in Nigeria.
Mohammed gave the commendation during the opening ceremony of the 2018 NIPR Annual General Meeting and Conference in Umuahia with the theme: “Sustainable Development in a fragile economy: The PR perspective”.
The minister was represented by Timothy Oyedeji,
He urged the institute not to relent in bringing its expertise to bear in management of material and human resources in achieving its objectives as well as national growth and development.
Mohammed said that the ministry would support the institute in charting a course for a virile public relations practice in Nigeria and ensure that it was “devoid of quackery and interlopers”.
He also said that the ministry was determined to encourage the institute toward achieving its ideals of high professional standard among its members.
Mohammed said that “contrary to the fake news being circulated on social media, Nigeria is in safe hands and making steady progress, especially in revamping the economy, tackling insecurity and fighting corruption”.
He said that the Federal Government had acquainted itself creditable and remained focused on the implementation of laudable programmes which would turn the fortune of Nigeria around.
Earlier, Dr Rotimi Oladele, the President of NIPR, said that it was the responsibility of Nigerians to build the economy of the nation.
Oladele expressed delight that the conference would provide an avenue for NIPR to disseminate a message that was geared at re-engineering the nation’s economy.
Richard Johnson, in his keynote address, at the event, urged the Federal Government to grant public relations practitioners the opportunity to be actively involved in the nation’s economic management.
Johnson said: “We need to stop looking at our limitation but into our potential and begin doing things differently, if we desire to revamp our economy.”
Johnson underscored the need for collaborative efforts between the Federal Government and stakeholders in revamping the economy.
