By Emmanuel Onwusoro.
Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission, EKHASC, Rt. Hon.Taiwo Olatunbosun, has described public reIations as an indispensable ingredient in democratic governance.
The former Ekiti State Commissioner for Information who made the remark when members of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Assembly complex, underscored the essence of demonstration of public relations in the execution of one’s functions consciously or unconsciously.
“PR is anchored on good relationship in different areas of human endeavour, getting our messages well delivered and understood. I have seen that you have that passion for the development of Ekiti State through public relations practice and as a body,I believe you have a role to play in the scheme of things through excellent public relations practice”.
Hon. Olatunbosun who is also a former Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, welcomed the readiness of the Ekiti NIPR Chapter to be part of the team to contribute its quota to the development of the State, adding that as a reputable Institute, NIPR should not be pushed to the back-burner of governance.
“And most times, I do not see people that are recognized as journalists coming out to do the job like you have been doing. We have a lot of work to do. Your visit here is timely and I can assure you within the limit of our influence and power we will do everything to assist in all those directions that you want support”. But as for an office accommodation, the State Chapter should look inwards for a suitable accommodation to serve as its secretariat for the time being rather than going cap in hands soliciting such from the government”.
The EKHASC boss admonished on the need to chart strategic ways of keeping people abreast of the existence of NIPR in Ekiti. He gave an assurance of ensuring that the bill at the State House of Assembly relating to the challenges facing members of the Institute at the local government sails through. The former lawmaker promised to sponsor NIPR member(s) working in the Commission to attend the Abuja Conference as requested by the NIPR Chairman.
Chairman, Ekiti NIPR Chapter, Mr Anthony Adesua told Hon. Olatunbosun that the Institute had not been faring well in Ekiti state since the creation of the State as its acceptance had been low. “As a civil service State we need people in government to be part of the body, but that has not been the case. That is one of the reasons we have been going round establishments like yours to sensitize them on the need for members or intending members or those that are in the business of public relations management to join the Institute, and that is why we are on this courtesy visit”
He informed the host that this year, he was the first and the only person that members of the Institute visited. Mr Adesua appreciated the EKHASC Chief for welcoming the members, and commended him for his role in the development of Ekiti.
“The essence of coming here is to acquaint you with some of our demands which we feel you can help us facilitate. Now that a new government is coming on board we pray that you’re given a strategic role. We solicit your help in bringing Ekiti NIPR into the mainstream of government’s agenda”.
According to the Chair, this will accord NIPR role and recognition that it deserves. He also disclosed that NIPR members at the local government were disillusioned because of non-recognition and implementation of their certificate by the State government.
“We appeal that you help us pursue the bill at the State House of Assembly seeking recognition for our members at the local government. The main thing is to have tangible roles given to the information officers working at the local government, possibly a department should be created for them. In other States what we have is PR unit or department. We are not included in the mainstream of the State, that is, when there are events NIPR is not invited particularly to occasions or events that are PR related”.
The Chairman suggested that in policy formulations, there should be need for the government to have input from NIPR. He implored the EKHASC Chair to assist achieve this when the new government comes to power, and further appealed that there are some boards and agencies the NIPR should have representatives of its members. While the government should also have NIPR registered members as appointees because the Act makes it illegal for anyone to practice PR without being a registered member of the institute.
“Again, our conference is coming up in Abuja, we appeal that you sponsor our member(s) working with you to attend. Facilitate our proposed visit to the governor-elect. Also, we are in need of accommodation, as the one given to us was taken back during the renovation of the pavilion, where we used as our secretariat, but when this present government came to power, after the renovation we have not been reallocated that space”.