The Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has said it plans to increase the rank of its members by at least 100 over the next two years as part of a broader strategy to reposition the Institute, strengthen professionalism and deepen the practice of public relations across the state.
The Chairman of the Chapter, Hon. Ismaila Isah, disclosed this during an advocacy and courtesy visit to the Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Princess Nana Hauwa Yussuff, at the Corporation’s headquarters in Lokoja.
The visit formed part of the Chapter’s ongoing strategic stakeholder engagement and membership drive aimed at revitalising the Institute, strengthening partnerships with key public and private institutions, and promoting professional standards in public relations practice.
Hon. Ismaila said the current Executive Council inherited a chapter that had remained largely inactive for years but has embarked on deliberate reforms to restore its relevance, rebuild stakeholder confidence and strengthen its institutional presence in Kogi State.
He explained that the advocacy tour is designed to reconnect with strategic organisations whose mandates align with the ideals of professional communication and public relations, while encouraging qualified practitioners to enrol as members of the Institute.
Describing Radio Kogi as a longstanding partner of the NIPR, the Chairman noted that the Corporation occupies a strategic position in the communication ecosystem of the state.
“This visit is particularly significant because Radio Kogi is home to many communication professionals. Over the years, several members of staff of the Corporation were active members of the Institute. We are here to rekindle that relationship and encourage more eligible professionals to embrace the values and standards of PR practice through the NIPR,” he said.
Hon. Ismaila said the Chapter’s target of recruiting at least 100 new members within two years reflects its determination to reposition the Institute as the leading professional body for public relations and strategic communication practitioners in Kogi State.
He emphasised that professional public relations has become increasingly indispensable in promoting effective governance, safeguarding organisational reputation, strengthening stakeholder engagement, managing crises and building public trust, adding that every institution stands to benefit from engaging qualified public relations professionals.
The Chairman appealed to the management of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation to encourage eligible members of staff to register with the Institute and actively participate in its programmes and professional development initiatives.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kogi State Chapter of the NIPR, Mr. Mike Abu, described Radio Kogi as one of the Institute’s longstanding partners and called for stronger collaboration between both organisations.
He said both institutions share a common responsibility of promoting credible information, ethical communication and responsible public engagement, expressing confidence that renewed collaboration would contribute significantly to the growth of the communications profession in Kogi State.
Responding, the Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Nana-Hauwa Yussuff, commended the leadership of the NIPR for its renewed commitment to revitalising the Chapter and promoting professionalism among communication practitioners.
She described the relationship between the media and public relations as complementary, noting that both professions play indispensable roles in informing, educating and shaping public opinion.
She announced her decision to immediately begin the process of registering as a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, describing membership of the Institute as an invaluable professional asset for communication practitioners.
She also pledged to extend the advocacy campaign to the Corporation’s booster stations across the state to encourage more members of staff to join the Institute and benefit from its professional development opportunities.
