NIPR moves to sanction unlicensed public relations practitioners

The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Paulinus Nsirim, says anyone working as a public relations officer without certification risks imprisonment, once its disciplinary committee commences operation.

Nsirim, former Rivers State Commissioner for Information, spoke at the 2023 World Public Relations Day Celebration held at Rivers State University.

The Public Relations expert said the planned action became necessary, following the importance of Public Relations in the growth of organisations and businesses.

Nsirim, who spoke on the theme of this year’s Public Relations Day: “Harnessing the Power of Public Relations”, said the event is aimed at sensitising the public and galvanising support for people to embrace Public Relations.

“For us as public relations practitioners, this is very significant.

“We want to showcase public relations to the world because a lot of people don’t understand the power of public relations in organisations.

“So, this activity today will help to sensitise the public about public relations and galvanise support for people to embrace public relations.

“Of course, as you know, public relations help in reputation management, crisis management and brand management, and stakeholder relationships.

“Any organisation that will thrive, any organisation that will make progress, any organisation that will go far in achieving set objectives, needs a professional public relations expert.

“Very soon, our ethics and disciplinary committee will swing into action. There is a decree, Public Relations Decree 16 of 1990, which makes it a criminal offense to practice public relations without certification.

“And that law provides imprisonment, not exceeding two years, a fine, or both.

“So, anybody who is involved in public relations in Rivers State and is not a certified practitioner may likely go to jail, when the ethics and disciplinary committee of the council swings into action,” he said.