By Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has been urged to intensify efforts to safeguard the integrity of the Public Relations profession in Nigeria.
This call was made by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during a courtesy visit by the state chapter of the NIPR to the Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
Expressing concerns over the proliferation of unqualified individuals posing as PR professionals, Senator Ewhrudjakpo criticized the NIPR for not doing enough to combat the growing quackery in the profession.
He noted that the activities of these impostors, particularly on social media, have become a significant challenge, undermining the credibility of genuine practitioners.
“The Public Relations profession is under siege by quacks because true professionals are not taking enough action,” Ewhrudjakpo stated.
“We see numerous charlatans on social media masquerading as PR experts, turning what should be a noble profession into a caricature.”
The Deputy Governor emphasized the need for the NIPR to implement measures to curb these practices and restore the profession’s dignity. He also pledged his support for the Institute’s initiatives, including their request for a suitable location to plant 60 trees in Bayelsa as part of NIPR’s 60th-anniversary celebration.
He directed the State Ministry of Environment to collaborate with the NIPR to facilitate this effort.
In response, Dr. Ebiwari Wariowei, Chairman of the NIPR Bayelsa State Chapter, highlighted the purpose of the visit, which was to invite Senator Ewhrudjakpo to the tree-planting event and seek government support for a proposed training center for PR professionals in the state.
The visit also featured remarks from Prof. Barclays Ayakoromo, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Africa, Toru Orua, and His Royal Highness Sir Boukumo Orukari, the Amananaowei of Sabagreia.
They praised Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s commitment to public relations and called for continued collaboration between the state government and the NIPR.
The visit concluded with the presentation of two books, “Public Relations: The Most Excellent Profession” and “The Slum Boy King,” by their author, His Royal Highness Sir Boukumo Orukari, to the Deputy Governor.
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