Public Relations personnel in government and in other institutions have been called upon to uphold the truth, avoid of forms of maladministration and ensure peaceful approaches with the publics in the discharge of their duties.
Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele made the call in Abeokuta while addressing participants at the 2019 Colloquium and Awards, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, with the theme "Strengthening Nigeria's Institutions, PR Dimensions."
The Deputy Governor, represented by the Consultant to the Governor on Media, Mrs Yinka Ogundimu described Public Relations as a veritable tool for attaining set objectives in governance, organisations and other institutions, charging PR practitioners to keep the publics abreast of their policy formulations and implementations, through effective communication in the mass media and the social media while challenging other agents of social institutions like the family, educational, religious sectors and others to uphold moral standard and inculcate same to younger generations.
"Public Relations means, saying it as it is without any colouration. Public Relations handlers of government and other institutions must make sure that only the truth is made known to the publics.
Mutual relationship must come to play to ensure good administration in governance and other social institutions to attain main objectives effectively and efficiently", she said.
Engr. Salako-Oyedele revealed that Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration has put in place a formidable platform, comprising experts in traditional and new media communications for effective information dissemination and management as well as a obtaining first hand information from the public on pressing issues affecting them, through the Feedback Unit at the Ministry of Information and Strategy.
One of the Lead Speakers at the event, Engr. Biodun Fijabi maintained that the weak institutions in Nigeria must be reversed to avert economic downturns and human right violations for the country to attain greatness, calling for visionary leaders that would build a sustainable economy.
To ensure proper checks and balances between the arms of government, Fiajbi advocated for separation of powers and respect for the rule of law, urging the ruling elites to define national interest and place it above personal interests.
Also speaking, Araba Tola Adeniyi represented by Prof. Anthony Kila, said, a government that would work must understand the public and so set standard, set ethics and build goodwill among the people.
He charged government at all levels to ensure that the publics buy into their policies without coercion through adequate communication, this he said could not be achieved without giving due recognition to public relations, calling on government to enact a law that would ensure that Public Affairs officers in all agencies of government are licensed by NIPR.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of NIPR, Ogun State Chapter, Mr Lekan Togunwa said the theme of the colloquium was put in place to address the situation of the country where, according to him, contrary to what obtained in the developed world, Nigeria is made up of ruling elites that were more powerful than the various institutions of their governments which he noted as the basis for the nation’s downward progress.
Other participants at the events include academics, PR Professionals, officers and men of the Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, government functionaries, traditional rulers, sole proprietors, media men and students.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of award to eminent Nigerians that have distinguished themselves in different areas of endeavours and humanitarian service among whom is the Director of Marketing and Business Development in the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Mr. Dehinde Boye who bagged the 2019 NIPR Friendly Personality award.
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