The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations recently cautioned federal ministries, departments, and agencies against appointing unqualified individuals as spokespersons and heads of communication units. The institute emphasized the importance of certification in public relations to avoid legal repercussions such as prosecution and imprisonment. The National President of the institute issued this warning during an induction ceremony for new members and officers of the Federal Ministry of Information in Abuja.
It was emphasized that practicing public relations without proper certification could result in criminal prosecution, fines, and imprisonment, leading to a tarnished reputation. The Minister of Information, represented by the ministry’s Director of Public Relations and Protocol, acknowledged the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age and urged professionals to uphold the values of the NIPR.
During the ceremony, one of the newly inducted members, Mrs. Emmanuel Arukwe, was honored as an honorary fellow for her contributions to education and youth empowerment through the NNPC Foundation Limited. She highlighted the foundation’s impact, particularly in training over 500,000 National Youth Service Corps members in business management and providing business opportunities at discounted rates. The foundation has also expanded into areas like Liquefied Natural Gas to promote development and empowerment initiatives.