Edo NIPR sets up committee to investigate, prosecute illegal practitioners

The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has set up a committee to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals practising public relations illegally or without proper certification.

The state chairman of the chapter, James-Wisdom Abhulimen, disclosed this in Benin City at the quarterly general meeting and public lecture.

The public lecture has on its theme, ‘The future of PR: Emerging trends and innovations in the industry’, delivered by the Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Daniel Ekhereafo.

Abhulimen said the committee was set up because it can no longer tolerate quackery or unregulated practices that undermine the profession’s integrity.

He opined that the committee was geared towards sanitising the profession.

“Let me sound a note of warning to individuals and entities practising Public Relations illegally or without proper certification that the long arm of the law will surely catch up with you.

“The Institute, in its bid to sanitise the profession, has set up a high-powered committee to identify, investigate and prosecute offenders.

ALSO READ Tinubu celebrates Gov Adeleke at 65

“We will no longer tolerate quackery or unregulated practices that undermine our profession’s integrity,” he said.

He noted that Public Relations is no longer what it used to be but digital transformation, artificial intelligence and data-driven communication are now reshaping the industry.

He said the quarterly general meeting is a testament to its members’ collective resolve to move the profession forward in the state and in Nigeria at large.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paul Ohonbamu commended the NIPR leadership for sustaining the profession in the state.

Former state chairman of the union and a fellow, Mathew Owobu appealed to the state government to always give assignments to the Public Relations Officers serving in the various Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs), to take government activities, policies and programmes to the grassroots.

The guest lecturer, Daniel Ekhereafo, in his lecture, opined that the Public Relations industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancement, social change and evolving audience expectations.