By Victoria Onehi
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has unveiled the Spokespersons Charter and Code of Ethics.
While unveiling the Charter and Code of Ethics at the 2nd Spokespersons Summit in Abuja today,the Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said the document will help spokespersons to be guided and guarded in doing their work and doing it very well.
The Speaker who was conferred with the NIPR Honorary Fellowship, thanked the institute for the honour bestowed on him.
While delivering his speech,NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, emphasised that the role of spokespersons in leadership communication is evolving, requiring a new level of strategic thinking, ethical grounding, and national consciousness.
Neliaku described the theme of the summit as not only timely but critical to Nigeria’s democratic and developmental journey.
He noted that in today’s information-driven society, the spokesperson must rise above partisan rhetoric to become a voice of clarity, truth, and national cohesion.
While declaring the summit open,the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said over the years, the NIPR has evolved as a compelling imprimatur for practitioners of public relations, creating a huge and well-regarded tent for the enhancement of the skill-sets of Nigerians in PR practice, in tandem with international best practices.
Idris said: ‘It is in this regard that I would like to profusely appreciate the leadership and management of the NIPR at the national level and state chapters for their untiring efforts in sustaining the Institute as a foremost professional association.”
The President of NIPR, Ike Neliaku, was commended for introducing an outstanding feature to this year’s Spokespersons Summit, which is the Information Ministerial Clinic, where former Ministers of Information, who served as the Chief Spokespersons of various past governments, would share their experiences in managing the most challenging situations they were confronted while in office.
Highlight of the event was the conferment of NIPR Honorary Fellowship on former Minister of Information Chief John Nnia Nwodo and the Chairman, Channels Group, Dr. John Momoh amongst others.
