Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has tasked the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to continue to be at the forefront of rewriting the narratives of Nigeria for a better society.
Babangida gave the commendation when the NIPR governing council, led by its president, Ike Neliaku, paid a courtesy visit to his uphill mansion to mark the institute’s 60th diamond anniversary celebration in Minna.
He said the institute is the only one that has brought its wisdom to bear in the affairs of the nation.
The former military president, who scored NIPR high in the running of its affairs in the country, said the institute has been steadfast in implementing all that the country expected of them.
IBB insisted, “I have always believed that we have to write a new narrative for this great country. And, as time goes by, our society will be a society that everybody will be proud to belong to.”
“Wherever I go, I used to say other countries should copy from what NIPR is doing in Nigeria. I commend the Institute for trying to provide a better society for this country, and their strength has gone high.”
While congratulating the Institute on its 60th anniversary, the elder statesman noted, “So far, the Institute has not misplaced the trust I have in it. I feel very proud of the institute, as it is living up to expectations.”
Earlier, the NIPR president, Neliaku, said the institute was established in 1963 and attained the status of chartered in 1989 during the administration of Gen. IBB, adding that during his time as the Head of State, the NIPR became the first to be chartered in the world.
He explained that they were in Niger State to celebrate the 60th diamond anniversary with IBB, who was responsible for making the institute chartered.
He explained that the NIPR has currently grown from officers to management function, hence the increase in the value of PR personnel for strategic and effective communication in the nation.
The president also disclosed some of the plans of the institute, which include the establishment of the Public Relations (PR) and Leadership University to be located in Nasarawa State.
Also, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris Malagi, represented by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Ndace, assured of a sustained partnership with the NIPR in order to achieve the national value chain policy of the federal government
