Public Relations Practice Gaining New Relevance in Nigeria — Customs CG

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Wale Adeniyi has applauded the new value public relations profession offers to the nation, attributing it to innovation the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is putting in place to increase professional relevance.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the 2024 Public Relations Conference of the Service, the Customs boss said at every stage in life, practitioners of public relations have so much value to give to the society.

While applauding the determination and commitment the current leadership of NIPR has demonstrated in leaving a legacy of professionalism, especially in equipping leaders with tools that would aid their success, CGC Adeniyi said that the public relations profession has helped him in achieving excellence within and outside office.

“The NIPR leadership has introduced a number of initiatives that are very key in helping us to remain very relevant. Each time I look at myself as the head of Customs, I also look at the burden that I carry and being a PR professional, I cannot afford to keep my eyes off the ball.”

Adeniyi emphasised that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to partner with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to deliver its various developmental initiatives.

Earlier in his goodwill message, NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, who commended the leadership of Customs for quality investment in the Public Relations department of the Service announced the Institution of a yearly Alex Akinyele Prize for Excellence for the best Public Relations Officer of the Service.

He said that the Council’s decision was to recognise the contributions of the Nigeria Customs in the development of Public Relations profession in Nigeria, noting that late Alex Akinyele, a former Minister of Information was of the Customs and instrumental in giving the NIPR an enviable status in the Nigerian Constitution.