NIPR Inducts Osuoza, Confers on Aniagwu Distinguished Spokesperson Gold Award
By Barth Ozah
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has announced, Mr. Charles Aniagwu as the recipient of the Distinguished Spokesperson Gold Award – Public Sector (State) Award just as the body officially inducted, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, the Delta State Commissioner for Information as a certified PR practitioner.
The prestigious award which was made known in a letter addressed to Mr. Aniagwu, and endorsed by Mr. Segun Mcmedal, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the National Spokespersons Awards, expressed excitement over his selection, citing his outstanding eloquence, integrity, and effectiveness in his role as a spokesperson.
According to him, Mr. Aniagwu is to receive the Award in a presentation ceremony holding at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, FCT, on Wednesday, March 27th, 2024, with the Red Carpet and Cocktails Mixer starting at 5 p.m.
The National Spokespersons Awards, organized by NIPR in partnership with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), celebrates outstanding spokespersons in corporate communications, public affairs, politics, media, advocacy, and other domains in Nigeria.
The Awards is a highlight of the National Spokespersons Summit, unveiled by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Idris Malagi. It promises to be a night of glamour and sophistication, with over 300 guests expected to attend, including government officials, industry leaders, and communication stars.
He was the immediate spokesperson to the Delta State Government under the Administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a one time Chief Press Secretary in the first tenure of the same government, and presently the Commissioner for Rural Roads and Waterways. He was inducted into the institute in November 2019, as an Associate Member.
On his part, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, alongside 220 other applicants, was welcomed into the prestigious institute on Friday, March 22, 2024 by Dr. Ike Neliaku, the President of NIPR, who emphasized the newly acquired certification’s significance for practicing Public Relations in Nigeria.
He informed them that with the induction, they were now certified public relation practitioners, adding that it was a privilege for anyone who qualified after a rigorous selection process to be among those inducted.
Dr. Neliaku, who noted that with the current situation in the country today, the place of public relations practitioners can not be over emphasized, urged the inductees to put their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their duties.
Addressing the new inductees, Barrister Karibi George, a member of the council, underscored the institute’s significance as a statutory body established by the National Assembly, operating under NIP CAP N14, underscoring its regulatory authority within the field.
Speaking after his induction, Dr. Osuoza highlighted the comprehensive nature of the tutorial process, which included a rigorous three-day masterclass organized by the institute that served as a preparatory phase to equipped new members with essential insights into the fundamentals of public relations, its ethical imperatives, and practical applications within professional spheres.
Dr. Osuoza, whose induction was performed virtually, expressed happiness and appreciated the leadership of NIPR for finding him worthy amongst the applicants who indicated interest to become certified Public Relations Practitioners, even as he added that being a member of the NIPR will enhance his performance in the discharge of his duty as the state information manager.
“I now know the rudiments of Public Relations and the ethical demands and application in the course of my professional practice.” He noted.
Before his induction, Dr. Osuoza had dedicated time from his demanding official duties as Commissioner for Information, to participate in the Masterclass training sessions.
These sessions covered a spectrum of vital topics including: Agenda Setting, Combatting Quackery in Public Relations Practice, Strategic Communication, Crisis Communication and Navigating the evolving landscape of media and influence.
The Masterclass curriculum also delved into pertinent areas such as Strategic Storytelling, Building Trust in an era of Misinformation, and Adapting Skills for the Future of PR Professionals, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning and ethical conduct amidst evolving industry dynamics.