The move by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Imo state chapter to stop unregistered Public Relations practitioners from parading themselves as Public Relations Officers,PRO in government agencies, corporate organizations and private sectors in the state has garnered the support of three serving Commissioners in Imo state.
This support was made during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Imo state chapter to the Commissioner for Information/ Strategy Hon. Declan Emelumba.
The Chairman of NIPR Imo chapter, Mr. Ever Bezze Nwosu who led other executives to the visit during his speech informed the Honourable Commissioner that the Institute has noticed with dismay the continued use of Information Officers/ Public Relations Officers who are non registered members of NIPR by the state government and ministries which is a violation of the law and pleaded with him to use his good offices to correct the anomaly.
Responding, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy who had his colleagues from Ministry of Labour Employment/Productivity, Chief Ozumba and the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr.Okey Anukwuem in attendance.
He said he is not in support of anything that violates the law and does not support quackery in Public Relations practice.
In his own remarks, the Commissioner for Labour Employment/Productivity, Chief Ozumba who is a Fellow of NIPR said he is completely against quackery in Public Relations which he described as a noble profession.
He described the Commissioner for Information and Strategy as man of dedication,focus/mission.
He said he would like to see Imo state as top Public Relations state.
In his remarks, Dr. Okey Anukwuem the Commissioner for Special Duties said without good Public Relations government can be drowned.He also condemned the use of non registered members of NIPR as Public Relations Officers in the state.
Other issues presented to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy during the visit by NIPR were:Investiture of the Governor, Sen.Uzodinma as a Patron of the Institute ,Request for a functional Secretariat,Request for a vehicle,The use of the Public Relations Academy to train those on the job,Request for regular visit so as to give them opportunity to constantly interface with the government and make suggestions that will help move the state forward.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy assured the Insitute that government will always support them and promised to present all their requests to the Governor.
On the planned investiture of the governor as Patron of the Institute, Hon. Emelumba said since is statutory, he will work out something in the next three weeks for the investiture.
He said his Ministry and NIPR should organise seminar to sensitize the public on Public Relations laws and implications. He also requested for seminars for Information Officers and asked the Insitute to come out with the prosposals.
The Commissioner told the Institute that he is always available for regular interactions because he sees Public Relations as being beneficial to the state.
Other members of the Institute that were present at the courtesy visit were: Dr. Nnaemeka Ijioma the secretary, Mr. Zanders Okeke the treasurer, Comrade Destiny Akunesi the Public Relations Executive,Mrs Chinenye Nwadike the financial secretary, Mr. Sunny Osuji a Fellow of the Institute & Council member, High Chief John Nnabuihe former Council member, Dr. Jonathan Ogugua Ex officio member and Chief Charles Nwankwo former Chairman.
