As part of the efforts to strengthen the marketing and communication framework in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has taken a significant step with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).
The signing ceremony which took place recently in Abuja, had NIPR National President President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, representing the Institute, ARCON’s Director General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, signing on behalf of the Council, and NIMN President, Idorenyin Enang representing NIMN.
The ceremony also had the President of the African Public Relations Association, Arik Karani; Global Alliance President, Justin Green along with other Council Members of NIPR and other industry key stakeholders in attendance, further underlining the importance of this landmark partnership.
Addressing journalists after the signing of the MoU, Neliaku explained that the decision to collaborate was taken in the best interest of the industry, stressing that it will affect everybody.
The NIPR president noted that the process has now been simplified for an associate member of his institute to directly apply to equally be a member of ARCON or NIMN without having to go through a rigorous exercise.
He said, “You’ll only attend what we call a special programme based on four modules to know the rudiments. If it is an ARCON member who wants to join NIPR, you only do the basics to learn more about PR and prepare enough to practice it. So, qualification for one is qualification for the other two and vice versa.
“This is the first time that the three regulatory agencies charged with the responsibility of ensuring we facilitate effective and sustainable growth in this industry are forming a tripartite collaboration to give significance to the mandate given to us.
“This is how it is supposed to be. We must not exist in our individual domain. It is time to come together. We will effectively regulate our industry. Today, you can say we are giving birth to integrated marketing communications in society.”
On his part, Fadolapo also said that collaboration was key to saving the professional bodies and the practitioners from the stress of over-regulation.
The ARCON boss asserted that several deliberations and consultations took place among the major players in the industry before they reached the decision.
He said, “I also want to thank the NIMN president for making time in his busy schedule to be part of this epoch-making event. It is important that we also have him around.
“Before we arrived at this MoU signing, we had a series of discussions among ourselves, including the NIPR. We looked at areas of interest. We believe strongly that this collaboration will strengthen the regulatory framework of NIPR, ARCON and NIMN.”
Also speaking, the NIMN president highlighted that professionalism has come to stay in the industry.
According to him, the rare privilege of working together with other bodies would resonate well with the eco-system, especially in the areas of communication, marketing and public relations.
Applauding the innovation, the President of Global Alliance, Justin Green, hailed the trio for setting the pace for African communications and marketing.
He said, “The world’s eyes are on Nigeria today. It is great that the trio of NIPR, ARCON and NIMN are all united in the long-standing history of professionalism that Nigeria has been known for.
“Not only are you leading in the unity of your organisations in Nigeria, but you are also throwing down a mandate to the rest of Africa and the world. I am absolutely delighted to wish you the very best. I can also tell you that we are all here to support you.”