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