L-R: Chairman, Projects and Partnerships C’tee of NIPR-FCT, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, Client Service Specialist, Drawbridge Communication Management Company, Jessica Ahmodu, CEO Drawbridge Communication Management Company, Hassan Abdul, Chairman NIPR-FCT, Stanley Ogadigo, Vice Chairman NIPR-FCT, Edward Adebanjo, Chairman, CSR&S, NIPR-FCT Eberechukwu Emeribe and Treasurer NIPR-FCT, Tanyishi Ahynopwa at the MoU signing ceremony.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter and Drawbridge Communication Management Ltd, a public relations consultancy firm, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU is aimed at enlarging the public relations ecosystem in the FCT and neighbouring states, a statement issued by Alex Enemanna, Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media Relations, said.
Enemanna said that the NIPR-FCT Chapter Chairman, Stanley Ogadigo described the MoU as a stepping stone towards bridging current manpower gap, especially in the area of public relations consultancy in the nation’s capital.
Ogadigbo also said at the signing ceremony in Abuja that the partnership was an innovative initiative for greater value addition to society.
Enemanna quoted Ogadigo as emphasizing that many organisations in the FCT would henceforth have an array of options to explore in sourcing qualified manpower to address their public relations needs.
“Before now, it has always been a question of those in need of public relations services going outside Abuja to source for consultants.
“But now, we are saying we have a pool of qualified professionals around and time has come to put them to task.
“With this MoU, we are encouraging quality consultancy services, establishment of more public relations firms and effective collaboration to ensure that the PR needs of organisations, both public and private within the FCT are met,” he noted.
The statement further said Ogadigo expressed optimism that the new deal would also help in building a system that would provide mentorship to young professionals and quality training to those already in the PR field.
Ogadigbo added that the MoU would also help prospective consultants in setting up public relations consultancy firms.
Hassan Abdul, the CEO of Drawbridge Communication, in his remarks, said the project would leverage the huge potentials in the field of public relations to create job opportunities in the FCT and environs.
Abdul added that the availability of quality professionals would boost the confidence of clients, Enemanna said.
“If we have a large number of firms in the profession that offer quality services to clients, it will create the paradigm shift we are looking for.
“It will let people know that they do not need to move outside Abuja to get qualified PR consultants,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, Chairman, Projects and Partnerships Committee, NIPR-FCT chapter, said the partnership offered opportunity to those intending to go into PR consultancy to enlist for training to sharpen their skills.
Ibietan, who is also the Secretary-General of African Public Relations Association (APRA), explained that this would enable them to render satisfactory services to clients.
He added that it would also bring to an end, the era of exporting jobs out of Abuja and reposition FCT as a hub for PR consultancy.(NAN)
