The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has urged journalists across the country to embrace public relations to project the country in a positive manner to enhance nationalism.
Ndace made the call when the Governing Council of the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), led by its president,paid him a courtesy visit on Monday in Abuja.
According to Jibrin, there is a big difference between a journalist and a public relations expert.
“While the journalist is looking at the headline of the story, the public relations expert is concerned about the implication of the story on the image of the country and society.
“Public relations is something that every journalist should embrace from the beginning.
“It shouldn’t be something you do when you are on your way out and I thank God that I took the path under the mentorship of the Information Minister.
“For the partnership requested by NIPR with VON, it is a done deal. VON is for NIPR, and NIPR is for VON. There is no better time for NIPR than now.
“From the Information Minister, down to the Heads of Agencies under the Ministry, they are all NIPR (members).
“In VON, we will continue to carry out principles laid by the founding fathers of the organisation and we intend to change the negative perception and narrative about Nigeria.
“We are planning to expand the broadcast language to include other languages in Asia.
“Also, I’m determined to tell the Nigeria Story to the world and build positive narratives of our people in the world.
“We will not allow people to use our platform to spread fake news on (about) our country. VON is on the same page with NIPR.
“I will ensure that, from the top to the lowest person, VON (staff) get membership of NIPR.
“One of the areas I want you to intervene in is the area of capacity building and mentoring.
“This is important because the luck I had in my career was that I have (had) a lot of people mentoring me; so it is important and we need that here,” Ndace said.
Earlier, Dr Ike Neliaku, President of NIPR, congratulated Ndace on his appointment and requested for partnership and support for NIPR’s programmes.
According to him, the NIPR will hold some programmes to further bolster nationalism and national orientation.
“We have a programme called ‘Rebirth Nigeria which stands on four pillars; we also have the National Public relations retreat in Kwara in August.
“We have achieved cadrerisation (uniformity of cadre); Information officers will now be referred to as Information/Public Relations Officers in the Civil and Public Services.
“We are also going to synergise with security agencies to begin enforcement and compliance with the aim of eliminating quacks in the industry.
“We have also introduced the National Lecture Series and we have established discussions with Obi of Onitsha and Emir of Kano.
“Also we are going to have the National Spokespersons Summit and Awards.
“We are also going to have a reputation summit which will lead to the building of a reputation house to promote Nigeria’s reputation.
“Also, we are going to strengthen membership for the younger generation.
“We will establish the finishing class for Public Relations that will lead to Establishment of a Public Relations University,” Neliaku said.