NIPR Charges Newly Inducted Members to be Nigeria’s Reputation Ambassadors

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has inducted 191 new members into its fold, urging them to uphold a high degree of reputation to protect their personal image and that of the Institute at all times.

Speaking at the virtual induction ceremony at the weekend, the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku while urging the inductees to be the nation’s reputation ambassadors wherever they find themselves described reputation as a core asset of individuals, groups and nations.

While noting that promotion of the nation’s reputation is a core function of the Institute, Dr. Neliaku said Nigeria cannot lag behind especially at a time like this when nations across the world are taking strategic approach to define the story they want to tell of themselves.

While emphasising that reputation has become a victim in the country, the NIPR boss expressed dissatisfaction that several persons pay minimal attention towards raising their perception in the minds of the public.

“Your reputation defines you. It is the reputation that you have that will define the kind of investments that people will come to your country with.

“If a nation is regarded as a nation of crooks, you will only attract investors who are interested in crookery. If you are a nation known for deep respect for rule of law in business and corporate governance, you will also attract more serious investors into your country”, he noted.

While calling for serious and fundamental reforms in the country’s judicial system, the NIPR President expressed hope that the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun will help sanitise the sector which he said needs urgent repositioning to shore up the country’s reputation.

The NIPR President also used the opportunity to announce that the Institute will on 15th October unveil the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG) in Abuja, which will form part of its efforts to build the nation’s reputation.

Earlier, the Vice President of the Institute and Chairman Education Advisory Board, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura while congratulating the successful candidates maintained that NIPR will continue to uphold a high professional and ethical standard in welcoming new members into its fold.

The latest induction adds to the record 2,040 members that have joined the Institute since the inception of the current Governing Council since August last year.