in both the written and spoken forms of English. So when I left my job with NTA as a News Editor / Caster and Producer, I opted for the post of PRO / Industrial Liaison Officer of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. I pioneered that department.
PRT: Give us some of your career highlights.
AI: They are many. But I’ ll just mention a few; i. Initiated the WIKKI magazine – the first Bauchi State owned magazine. I also served as its pioneer Features and Production Editor. ii. Published a Bauchi State commissioned book on the official visit of Gen. Muhammed Buhari, as Head of State in 1985. Copies of the Book, bound and complete with pictures of his activities up to 10.00 pm the previous night, were delivered to him before he departed Bauchi by 10.00 am the next day. I was given a commendation letter by Governor Sam Sami, for the feat. iii. I delivered the Sam Epele Gold Paper of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations at the Yar’ dua Centre, Abuja, in 2010. The Sam Epelle Lecture remains one of the major outings of the Institute. iv. I have anchored and hosted major national and international events. v. My appointment as the National Training Director of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations in 2010. vi. I was given the privilege of re-organising the Bauchi State Government House Directorate of Press in relation to the State’ s Ministry of Information.
PRT: Tell us about your journey in Nigerian Institute of Public Relations( NIPR)
AI: I joined the Institute in 1984 as an Associate member. I became a member a few years later and a fellow in 2000. It’ s on record that I was the first Fellow of the Institute in the entire North East sub-region. From 2010 to 2014, I was the National Training Director. As at today, I am the Assistant Editor of the Institute’ s official Journal. Before now, I had served as Secretary, then Chairman of the Bauchi State Chapter. I became an elected Council member in 2002.
PRT:
Focus areas of NIPR
AI: Contrary to the opinion held in some quarters, NIPR is not a trade union or a social club for PR practitioners. Rather, it’ s a regulatory body established by the Federal Government of Nigeria( Act of the National Assembly No. 16 of 1990). Its primary focus is to establish and enforce professional standards of PR practice, publish a membership register and accredit PR programmes in tertiary institutions.
PRT: What is the role of PR in business development.
AI: No business exists in isolation. It must relate with its stakeholders for it to thrive and succeed. PR is the human face of every business. PR gives businesses a conscience. PR is that factor every business needs to build loyalty and goodwill. Goodwill is a necessary capital for acceptability and believability. It is on the platform of PR that corporate social responsibility( CRS) is hinged.
43 | PRTIMES AFRICA MARCH 2016