Information Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as local governments in Kano state have been urged to register with Nigerian institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for effective public relations functions.
The state Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye stated this while receiving the state chapter of the NIPR in his office on Tuesday.
He described the NIPR as the regulatory body for Public Relations practitioners and emphasized the need for all qualified Information Officers to register with the Institute so as to work in accordance with the iexpected standard practice.
Dantiye, who is also a member of the NIPR, called on the council members of the institute to intensify awareness campaign about the law that bars non registered members from practicing public relations jobs in the country.
The commissioner lamented the attitude of some media organizations who allow individuals to use abusive or vulgar language in their programmes which breaches the broadcasting codes as set by the National Broadcasting Commission.
He stressed that flagrant abuse of ethical standards by such media organizations should be sanctioned.
Earlier, the Council member of the NIPR, Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule emphasized
on the need for membership registration, adding that it is illegal to practice public relations without certification from the regulatory body.
“Anyone practicing PR without membership of the NIPR is doing it illegally and is regarded as quack and will be prosecuted if arrested”, he stated.
Dr. Ya’u said the practice of public relations in Nigeria is guided by laws which must be adhered to in order to maintain professionalism.
In his remarks, chairman of the state chapter of the NIPR, Alhaji Aminu Hamza explained that they were at the office to congratulate Dantiye over his recent appointment as commissioner of information.
Hamza, who described the appointment as well deserved considering his wealth of experience in journalism career, prayed to Almighty Allah to give him wisdom, sound health and protection to discharge his duty effectively.