PRCAN Supports NIPR on Professional Standards

Blessing Nwobodo

In furtherance to its commitment to ensure professionalism in the industry, the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has thrown its weight behind the recent move by the Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to enforce professional standards within the state.
The umbrella body for PR consulting agencies asserts in a statement that the Anambra State Chapter’s call for all public relations officers in government ministries, departments and agencies in the state to regularise their membership is should apply nationwide.
Phil Osagie, president PRCAN, says the consultants’ association supports the stance of the Anambra body as it is in consonance with the law as well as the campaign to enthrone professionalism in public relations practice.  According to him, “at PRCAN, we have always insisted on professional standards. Every member firm must have as head and key personnel professionals who are registered to practice public relations in Nigeria as defined by the NIPR Act of 1990.”
NIPR in Anambra State recently announced plans to embark on “Operation Stop Practice” for non-professionals practicing public relations in the state. Rev. Fr. Boniface Obiefuna, the chapter’s Chairman warns that “those who are PROs in various institutions and organisations but are not members of the institute could be taken to court after the time limit given to identify with the body elapses or, better still, they should limit themselves to answering publicity secretaries and not PROs.”
It will be recalled that during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili, the immediate past executive committee of PRCAN had similarly raised the issue of professionalism.