The Ogun State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has launched a Compendium of Public Relations professionals, as part of its efforts to provide valuable resource and go-to guide for businesses, organisations and individuals in need of expertise.

The compendium was unveiled at the 2023 Annual Cocktails and End-of-the-Year Get-together of the chapter held on Friday at the Mitros Residences, Ibara GRA, Abeokuta.

Speaking shortly before it was formally launched at the top-notch event, the state NIPR Chairman, Mrs Oluwaseun Boye, said the maiden edition of the compendium gave a glimpse of the background and qualifications of certified public relations professionals as well as their certification numbers.

She stated that the publication, which would be reviewed periodically on the chapter’s website, would foster trust and credibility in the selection process of public relations professionals.

Boye added that the compendium would also be widely circulated to relevant public and private institutions within the state.

“In our commitment to promote inclusiveness and growth, we recognise the importance of welcoming new members into our esteemed community, while old members should strive to undergo further professional courses and get upgraded continually on the professional cadre as this compendium will be reviewed periodically on our websites,” the chairman further said.

She noted that the current executive of the chapter had, in the past one year when it took over the mantle of leadership, left no stone unturned in ensuring the revival of NIPR through various programmes.

“We have also ensured that all our ‘run-away’ members are back to the fold, while a good number of those who are yet to be re-certified have done so. It is interesting to note that one of our past Chairmen is now a member of Council at the national level of the Institute,” Boye enthused.

In his remarks, the NIPR National President, Dr Ike Neliaku, who was represented by a Council member, Mr Tope Adaramola, said giant strides had been taken recently to rebrand the Institute and rid the profession of charlatans.

Neliaku explained that the rebranding efforts informed the meeting of the Governing Council with the Federal Executive Council led by President Bola Tinubu, which eventually culminated in the approval for proper caderisation of public relations professionals in the public service.

According to him, there will be a change in the nomenclature of Information Officers in the public service with the creation of Information and Public Relations Officer Cadre by the National Council on Establishment (NCE).

The President commended the Ogun State Chapter of NIPR for leading the charge with various initiatives to promote professionalism and excellence in public relations practice.

Delivering a pep talk entitled, “Leading Right,” the Guest Speaker, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Public Service Reforms in Ogun State, Mr Jola Oyeneye, stressed the imperative of good leadership in any society.

Oyeneye, who decried the dearth of good leadership in many African countries, declared that Nigeria can only prosper if the country got its leadership right.

He highlighted qualities of right leadership to include integrity, respectfulness, empathy and compassion to the followers as well as lifelong learning.

Highpoint of the event was the conferment of different categories of awards eminent personalities and distinguished public relations professionals. Notable among the awardees are the Senator representing Ogun West in the National Assembly, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who bagged the Iconic Personality Award, while the founder of Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Major-General Sansali Adebanjo Awosanya (rtd) was conferred with the Grand Entrepreneur Award.

Former chairmen of the chapter, including Messrs Akin Okudero, Bimbo Alagbe, Tope Adaramola and Lekan Togunwa, bagged the Ogun NIPR Exemplary Leadership Awards at the ceremony, while other professional leaders like Otunba Kayode Onafadeji, Mr Leke Adeboye, Deaconess Doyin Ogunbiyi, Mr Jide Coker, Chief Niyi Oduwole, Mr Femi Dokunmu and Mr Owolabi Onajobi received the Unsung Heroes Awards in recognition of their immense contributions to the society.