NIPR Reiterates Need To Set Agenda Towards National Unity

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has reiterated the need for professionals to set an agenda for unity in the country. 

The Institute’s Vice President, Wale Adeniyi NIPR, reiterated this during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga in Abuja.

Adeniyi who led the Local Organising Committee on the visit said they were in NAN to inform and seek partnership with the agency on the institutes’ up Coming 2019 Annual General Meeting/Conference.

He said the AGM would hold on May 2 in Abuja with the theme “Optimising Public Relations Strategies to Enhance National Cohesion.’’

“ This year we have taking stock of what is happening as a nation, we took a look at a build up towards our national elections and all the issues that played out during the elections,

“We looked at the various political actors who played up our divide; the North/South, Muslim/Christians, Hausa Yoruba Igbos, all these things that have divided us building up to the national elections.

“And, we are saying even after the national elections, there are still some voices here and there that tend to emphasise how divided or divisive we are.

“ And, we decided that during this AGM, we want to adopt a theme that will provide a rallying point for the unity and cohesion of Nigeria and that will try to emphasis those things that bring us together rather than those things that tend to divide us.

“ So, we have adopted a theme: Optimising Public Relations Strategies to Enhance National Cohesion.

“We believe it is about time that we bring the attention of professionals like Public Relations practitioners to seek PR narratives, PR activities, PR agenda that would rally Nigerians towards a national course, towards national unity.

“And to ensure we heal wounds that most have been thrown up by the elections, to ensure that we lay proper foundation for national reconciliation and national unity.’’

Adeniyi, who is also the Chairman of the AGM/Conference said the institute had confidence in the agency’s ability to project the national idle and celebrate what unites the country to lay a foundation for economic development.

He congratulated the managing director for taking NAN to a higher level and wished him the best of luck.

In his response NAN Managing Director, described the theme as apt and should be supported by all Nigerians.

Onanuga noted that politicians used ethnicity and religion to cause divides among citizens to dodge accountability and responsibly”. 

“ It is high time as you are doing, to begin to highlight the dangers of divisive politics that we do in our country.

“The wish of every Nigerian is for this country to remain united and we can really and harness the potential God has given us to become a great country, that God has destined this country to be and I want to wish your AGM a very huge success.

He said the agency was willing to support the NIPR and its activities in fulfilling its mandate.