The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has launched a technical team to scrutinize the Samoa agreement and its implications for Nigeria, following its recent endorsement by the Federal Government. This announcement was made by NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Ike Neliaku, during the Special Diamond Anniversary Induction for Media and Allied Practitioners in Abuja on Thursday.
The induction ceremony welcomed 540 journalists and media practitioners from prominent organizations such as the Nigerian Television Authority, African Independent Television, News Agency of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, Channels TV, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria as new associate members of the NIPR.
Neliaku emphasized the importance of evaluating the agreement’s impact on Nigeria’s reputation and its citizens. “The institute decided to set up a technical team of experts to study the Samoa agreement and come up with the reputation and perception implication of signing that agreement to Nigeria as a nation and to the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.
Highlighting the critical nature of the nation’s reputation, Neliaku noted, “What is important to us is the reputation of our country. The perception of our country, because our reputation is our core asset.”
The assembled team comprises lawyers, scientists, and professional engineers, tasked with thoroughly examining the agreement. “NIPR has the biggest body of knowledge to do this,” he asserted. The committee is set to begin its work immediately and will advise the government based on its findings.
Neliaku outlined three core values for the analysis: professional, reputational, and financial. He stressed the primacy of reputation over financial considerations, saying, “You see that financial value is number three and not number one because when your reputation is intact, when your professionalism is valid, resources will flow naturally.”
Additionally, the NIPR has planned a series of discussions with former Ministers of Information to gain insights and perspectives. “The institute will convene fireside chats with all former ministers of information. We want you to come and sit down and share with practitioners because listening to you this afternoon, you have shared your different perspectives,” Neliaku announced.