Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum scheduled for November, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called on stakeholders to support the completion of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations National Secretariat project in Abuja.
CGC Adeniyi made the call on Wednesday after inspecting the ongoing construction of the NIPR National Secretariat, known as “Public Relations Place,” located within the premises of Radio House, Garki, Abuja. He stated that the public relations profession deserves a national edifice Nigerians can identify with and take pride in.
It would be recalled that Adeniyi, a Fellow of the NIPR, was the immediate past Vice President of the Institute.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the site, noting that public relations has contributed immensely to nation-building and the professional growth of many Nigerians over the years.
Adeniyi maintained that the time has come for practitioners and stakeholders to collectively support the completion of a befitting national secretariat for the Institute.
“PR has done a lot for many of us. It has given us opportunities and platforms to serve, and it has made many of us what we are today. This is the time for us to give something back to the profession,” he said.
He described the project as a major milestone for the profession and expressed confidence in the Institute’s leadership and in the members of the project committee overseeing construction. “This is very commendable. There is still a long way to go, but we have the right people to drive this project to completion.”
The CGC also appealed to corporate organisations, government institutions, and friends of the profession to support the project.
“We are hosting the world before the end of the year, and this project will be a good gift from Nigeria to the global PR family. Every support towards its completion will be welcome,” he added.
He further assured stakeholders that he would continue mobilising support for the project within and outside the profession.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Muhammad Bulama, described the project as a major development for the public relations profession and the communication industry in Nigeria.
Bulama emphasised that Radio Nigeria did not hesitate to release the land for the project after recognising the importance of the Institute to national development and public communication.
He acknowledged that he initially doubted how quickly the project would progress, especially because an abandoned structure had occupied the same location for years before the new secretariat commenced.
“To be very honest, I was initially sceptical. But today, we are seeing a massive structure rising here within a short period, and we are proud to host this important institution,” he said.
The FRCN DG also commended CGC Adeniyi for his consistent support and commitment to the Institute. “I want to particularly thank the Comptroller-General of Customs for his support for this institution. He has remained deeply committed to this project.”
Also speaking, the Vice President of the NIPR and Chairman of the Project Committee, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, reiterated that the Institute’s leadership remains committed to delivering a befitting national secretariat for the profession.
Prof. Dandaura, who received the CGC on behalf of the President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the Customs boss for identifying with the project and supporting the vision behind it.
He stressed that the encouragement and support from respected professionals and institutions had continued to strengthen the project committee’s resolve to ensure the successful completion of the project.
The inspection visit was attended by several Fellows and members of the NIPR Governing Council, officials of the FRCN, members and engineers of the project committee, as well as other stakeholders in the communication and public relations sector.
