By Nkechi Eze
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called for stronger collective support towards the completion of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) National Secretariat project in Abuja, declaring that the public relations profession deserves a befitting national edifice that Nigerians can identify with and celebrate.
Adeniyi made the appeal on Wednesday during an inspection visit to the ongoing construction of the NIPR National Secretariat, christened “Public Relations Place,” located within the premises of Radio House, Garki, Abuja.
The Customs boss expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the project site, noting that public relations had contributed immensely to national development and the professional growth of countless Nigerians over the years.
He stressed that the time had come for practitioners, institutions and stakeholders to give back to the profession by supporting the completion of the project.
“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,” Adeniyi stated.
The CGC described the project as a major milestone for the public relations profession and expressed confidence in the leadership of the Institute as well as members of the project committee supervising the 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,” he added.
Adeniyi further appealed to corporate organisations, government institutions and friends of the profession to support the project ahead of the World Public Relations Forum scheduled to hold in Nigeria later in the year.
“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 said.
He also assured stakeholders of his continued commitment towards mobilising support for the project within and outside the public relations profession.
The Comptroller-General, who is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, previously served as Vice President of the Institute.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Muhammad Bulama, described the project as a landmark development for both the public relations profession and Nigeria’s communication industry.
Bulama explained that Radio Nigeria willingly released the land for the project after recognising the strategic importance of the Institute to national development and public communication.
He admitted that he initially doubted the speed with which the project would progress, especially considering that an abandoned structure had occupied the location for years before the commencement of the new secretariat.
“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 Director-General also commended Adeniyi for his unwavering support and commitment to the Institute and the secretariat project.
“I want to particularly thank the Comptroller-General of Customs for his support for this institution. He has remained deeply committed to this project,” Bulama added.
Also speaking, the Vice President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chairman of the Project Committee, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, reaffirmed the commitment of the Institute’s leadership towards delivering a befitting national secretariat for the profession.
Professor Dandaura, who received the CGC on behalf of the President and Chairman of Council of the Institute, Dr Ike Neliaku, commended Adeniyi for identifying with the vision behind the project and consistently supporting its realisation.
He noted that the encouragement and support from respected professionals and institutions had continued to strengthen the resolve of the project committee to ensure successful completion of the secretariat.
The inspection visit was attended by Fellows and members of the NIPR Governing Council, officials of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, members and engineers of the project committee, as well as other stakeholders within the communication and public relations sector.
