The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has inducted another set of 191 new members with a warning to fake practitioners to desist or else they would face legal consequences for such fraudulent activities.
Penpushing reports that the induction of the new members of the institute was held on Saturday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a call on organisations employing non-registered members to desist or face fines
The President of the institute Dr Ike Neliaku issued out the warning, during the ceremony adding that those caught and convicted of falsely practising, as well as their employers, could be fined and imprisoned.
Penpushing further reports that he emphasized that individuals convicted could face either a fine, a prison sentence of up to two years, or a combination of both penalties, stressing that if a corporate body is found guilty of employing fraudulent practitioners, directors or officers associated with that entity could also be held accountable.
“Those guilty of such offences could face fines up to 100 Naira, a sum that, when adjusted for inflation since its introduction in 1990, could now equate to as much as 1 million Naira. Public relations is not just a profession; it is grounded in law’, he said.
Penpushing also reports that Neliaku reaffirmed the institute’s pivotal role as Africa’s first regulatory body for the profession, established under Decree No. 16 of 1990, stressing the importance of legal certification for those wishing to practise in Nigeria.
The institute boss highlighted the importance of ongoing professional development, explaining that recent participants in the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Master Class were equipped with cutting-edge insights into public relations practices.
Penpushing reports that he affirmed that those who completed the institute Master Class have been immersed in the latest innovations shaping public relations today, and equally called reputation management a core mandate for public relations professionals.
The President asserted that reputation has become one of the most valuable assets for both individuals and organisations, and urged the new members to take proactive measures in managing public perception.
Penpushing further reports that in his own remarks, Vice President of the institute Emmanuel Dandaura commended the inductees for the rigorous training they underwent, adding that 35 out of 40 participants successfully completed the five-day Master Class programme.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) at the event boasted that these individuals have been equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in public relations
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