Public relations practitioners in Nigeria’s Kogi State have moved to overhaul their professional body, appointing the Governor’s media chief as interim head to steer a “new course” for the industry. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Kogi Chapter met in the state capital, Lokoja, on Tuesday to address a perceived decline in professional standards. The stakeholders unanimously selected Ismaila Isah, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, to coordinate the chapter until formal elections are held.
Moving Beyond ‘Errand Boys’
The meeting, described as the first of its kind in the state, drew a diverse crowd from the civil service, private sector, and academia. A key theme of the discussions was a pushback against the trivialisation of the profession. In a communique issued after the summit, the body argued that PR is a “core management function” rather than a reactive tool for damage control.”Spokespersons are not mere errand boys beckoned upon for reputation management,” the document stated, stressing that practitioners must be involved in high-level decision-making to prevent communication gaps that breed public distrust.
The Fight Against Misinformation
The move comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the rapid spread of misinformation.
The Kogi NIPR highlighted several pillars for the “recalibrated” chapter:
Accuracy over Speed: A mandate for practitioners to verify facts before release.
Ethical Standards: Strengthening PR education to bridge the gap between the government and the citizenry.
National Reputation: Using structured PR to foster social cohesion and economic stability.
Context: The Role of the NIPR
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is the statutory body regulating the practice of PR in the country. In a political environment as vibrant and complex as Nigeria’s, state chapters play a crucial role in managing the relationship between local administrations and the public. By appointing a high-profile government official like Mr. Isah to lead the transition, the Kogi chapter appears to be seeking a more influential seat at the table of governance
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