By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) within the weekend inaugurated a 9 member Presidential Chapter Resuscitation Committee to run the affairs of the professional body in Sokoto for the next 6 months.
Addressing members of the body at an event in Sokoto Guest Inn, the President and chairman of NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku said the establishment of the Presidential Chapter Resuscitation Committee (PCRC) was aimed at reviving inactive or struggling chapters.
Dr Ike who was represented by one of the National Council members, Alhaji Umar Ahmad Sajoh urged the newly inaugurated committee to collaborate with stakeholders to assess challanges, identify oppurtunities and develop strategies capable of restoring the chapters vitality.
“NIPR is not a trade Union rather a professional body with two mandates which include registration of members and accreditation of institutions.
“Therefore, by the provision of the law, it is illegal for anybody to operate as Public Relations Officer without being an NIPR member because for one to be a certified gatekeeper of reputation, such a person must be a member of NIPR”, Dr Ike noted.
According to Dr Ike, the Sokoto state chapter caretaker committee of NIPR consist of Mohammed Sada Suleiman as the chairman, Samaila Yauri, Vice chairman, Dr Mijinyawa as Secretary and Saudi Alkamawa as Assistant Sectary and ICT officer.
Others are, ASP Ahmed Rufia as Financial Secretary, Malam Sani Idirs, Treasurer, Miss Elizabeth Ephraim as Public Relations Officer while Malam Shehu Ahmad and Abubakar Bawa are to serve as Ex-Offico 1 and 2 respectively.
Reeling out the terms and expected responsibility of the Sokoto NIPR caretaker committee, Dr Ike said they are to conduct comprehensive assessment and identify root causes and barriers to the chapters’ viability and sustainability in addition to developing strategies to addressing the identified challanges and ensure rapid membership growth.
Continuing, Dr Ike who spoke through Umar Ahmad Sajoh also admonished the committee to report progress of the resuscitation efforts to enable monitoring and evaluation.
While submitting satisfactory character and non convicts are primary qualification to become a member, Dr Ike said the esrtwhile executive of NIPR in Sokoto stands dissolved for lack of performance and accountability, Dr Ike said the new resuscitated caretaker committee has 6 or an extended period or 12 months to conduct election that will usher in new executives.
Speaking in their separate goodwill messages,
Sokoto State commissioner of Information and Orientation, Alhaji Bello Sambo Danchadi, the
Managing Director Zamfara State Media Cooperation and Zonal Coordinator of NIPR, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi, and former Managing Directors of Sokoto Media Cooperation,
Alhaji Ibrahim Argungu and Abubakar Shekara all assured that NIPR will soon take its rightful place in the region.
In his acceptance speech, the Sokoto state chairman of NIPR, Sada Suleiman assured that they will embark on membership drive, even as appealed for special rebate foe expected members to help pick up.
