CGC Adeniyi Rallies Stakeholders for Completion of NIPR Secretariat Project

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called for stronger support towards the completion of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations’ National Secretariat project in Abuja, describing it as a national edifice the public relations profession and Nigerians should be proud of.

Adeniyi made the appeal on Wednesday during an inspection visit to the ongoing construction of the NIPR National Secretariat, known as “Public Relations Place,” located within the premises of Radio House in Garki, Abuja.

The Customs boss expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the site, noting that public relations had contributed significantly to nation-building and the professional growth of many Nigerians.

He stressed the need for practitioners and stakeholders to collectively support the completion of a befitting national secretariat for the Institute.

According to him, the project represents a major milestone for the profession, adding that the leadership of the Institute and members of the project committee possess the capacity to drive the initiative to completion.

Adeniyi also urged 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 this year.

He assured stakeholders of his commitment to mobilising support for the project within and outside the profession.

The Comptroller-General, who is a Fellow and immediate past Vice President of the NigeriaInstitute of Public Relations, said the completion of the secretariat would serve as a fitting gift from Nigeria to the global public relations community.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Muhammad Bulama, described the project as a major development for the public relations profession and the communication industry in the country.

Bulama said Radio Nigeria willingly released the land for the project after recognising the Institute’s importance to national development and public communication.

He admitted he was initially sceptical about the pace of the project because an abandoned structure had occupied the site for years, but expressed satisfaction with the rapid progress recorded.

The FRCN Director-General also commendedAdeniyi for his support and commitment to the Institute and the secretariat project.

Also speaking, the Vice President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chairman of the Project Committee, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to delivering a befitting national secretariat for the profession.

Dandaura, who received the Comptroller-General on behalf of the President and Chairman of Council of the Institute, Dr Ike Neliaku, commended Adeniyi for supporting the vision behind the project.

The inspection visit was attended by Fellows and members of the NIPR Governing Council, officials of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, members of the project committee, engineers and other stakeholders in the communication and public relations sector.