The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has made history by becoming one of the three states in the country to get approval to run a PR professional Study Centre.
Chairman of the NIPR Education Advisory Board, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, made this known in Uyo on Wednesday during the official flag-off of a professional training school.
Speaking, Prof Dandaura, a professor of Participatory Communication, said “Akwa Ibom State is bless, being one of the few states that has passed through the stringent accreditation process for granting of license to run an NIPR accredited professional centre. We believe that Uyo NIPR Study Centre will drive the process of ensuring that we create avenues for the teeming number of people in the South-South. People that are intending to participate in the programmes of the NIPR, in terms of training.”
“As you know, the law requires that if you are practising anyway in any of the functions that fall under Public Relations, you must be registered with the institute. The professional Certificate and Diploma programmes are windows through which the people can become professional in this area. So, with the Uyo Study Centre, people will no longer need to go to Lagos or Abuja to write the qualifying Examinations. It means people will no longer have to travel far to be trained and, particularly, to be prepared for this professional Examinations. So, we believe it is a big thing and cheering news for the people of Akwa Ibom,” he explained.
Prof Dandaura further congratulated Akwa Ibom government, people and the Chapter of the NIPR for attaining an enviable feat, saying “Akwa Ibom has become a pacesetter and it is important for the people to embrace this good thing and ensure that this is maintained.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Uyo Study Centre Committee, Mr. Uduak Obot, who described the centre as a-dream-come-true, urged Akwa Ibom people to “leverage on the benefits of this Centre.”
Speaking further, Mr. Obot, who is also a Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, said “The Uyo NIPR Study Centre is offering training for people who want to become professionals in the area of Public Relations. It is also for those who have been in the profession without possessing the requisite qualifications and trainings. We have so many information officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government and also in the private sectors who are not professional Public Relations practitioners yet they carry on their daily assignments and Public Relations duties. So, we invite them to come and take advantage of the numerous programme offered by the Study Centre.”
“Those who have been battling to get admission into the University can register into our 6-month Certificate programme and our 6-month Diploma programme and upon graduation, they can move to the University to study their Course of choice. They can have a Direct Entry to any of the Nigerian Universities with the Diploma of the NIPR. It is one opportunity that we want every Akwa Ibom person to come and leverage on.” He added.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman of NIPR, Mr. Nsemeke Udoakpan, listed members of the Committee to include Comrade Ini Ememobong, Prof Des Wilson, Prof Nsikak Nkana, Mr. Ekanem Willie, Mr. Essien Ndueso, Mrs. Mercy David, Mr. Darlington Udobong, Mrs. Affiong Fadamana and Mr. Bassey Udoh (Committee Secretary).
