By Ejike Uchechukwu
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Plateau State Chapter has inaugurated a student’s chapter in the University of Jos.
Inducting the student members at the university’s Law Auditorium, Plateau State Chapter Chairman of NIPR, Mr. Fwenji Go’ar stated that the state took a cue from the Bauchi State Chapter which was the first in Nigeria to inaugurate a student’s chapter at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, late last year.
He also said that the idea is to enable the students have a deeper understanding of what the profession entails in a dynamic global environment.
The Guest Speaker Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo who is a member of NIPR Governing Council, who spoke on “Stepping Into The World of PR: The Benefits and Responsibilities”, outlined various attributes of a PR practitioner to include integrity, reputation, focus, creativity, and being law abiding.
He said a public relations practitioner has the responsibility to, among others, portray a positive public image for an individual, organization and government; maintain positive client relationships; develop media contacts, write and issue press releases periodically, planning appearance and events and most of all, ensuring that the organization adds value to the lives of the citizens they serve.
According to guest speaker, the most important benefit of being a PR practitioner is the sense of satisfaction one gets as a result of practicing what one has a passion for. He added that PR practitioners are in high demand, are dynamic and can work in any organization.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Hayward Mafuyai commended the NIPR for inaugurating a chapter in the institution noting that those is public relations do not need to be job seekers as they can readily invent one for themselves.
Also speaking NIPR National President, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, who was the guest of honour said UNIJOS students were the first set of university students in Nigeria to benefit from such a gesture.
He described the Vice-Chancellor as the number one PR ambassador of the university adding that public relations is about truth, simplicity and courage.
“A PR professional is supposed to x-ray his environment and see himself as a debtor to the society. PR, like air, has no boundary; like water, it innocently follows a natural course and like oil, we cannot do without it”, he said
The event which attracted many dignitaries featured the presentation of certificates of membership to the newly inducted students of Mass communication who were smartly dressed in their department’s dress code of black suit, sky-blue shirt and red tie.
