The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) FCT Chapter says it is ready to partner with an Abuja-based communication management company, Drawbridge CM Limited, to expand the Public Relations consulting practice ecosystem in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states through capacity building.
The Chairman of NIPR FCT Chapter, Mr. Stanley Ogadigo fnipr, who gave this assurance in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of the company noted that capacity building for members and value addition to the society are core focus areas of his administration. According to him, the recently inaugurated Projects and Partnerships Committee (PPC) was strategically designed to enable the Chapter to expand its horizons for partnerships that will be structured around mutually beneficial values for both parties. The collaboration with Drawbridge CM would be the first project to be adopted for execution by the PPC.
Other members of the FCT Chapter of the NIPR present included member of the NIPR National Council representing the FCT, Mrs. Olubunmi Badejo, fnipr; Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan fnipr and immediate former chairman of the FCT Chapter and member of the NIPR Council representing Federal Government, Haj. Maryam Sanusi fnipr.
“I would like to register my appreciation to you for granting us audience. As players in the PR practice in Abuja, we are pleased at every opportunity to interface with the NIPR and the public relations profession through the chapter.
“Our visit today underscores our commitment to supporting the chapter's goals and contributing to its continued development and success. We believe that by working closely with your esteemed office, we can further align our operations with the NIPR's national aspirations,” Hassan Abdul, mnipr, Lead Consultant and CEO of Drawbridge CM said.
Speaking further, he said, “We believe that the PR profession can create even more job opportunities for Nigerians and contribute to reducing unemployment and improving livelihoods directly by employing practitioners, and indirectly by supporting the growth, success, and profitability of organizations. As a profession, PR is central to the building of reputation and development of positive relationships which organisations in both the public and private sectors need for the attainment of their goals.
“As a result, we are uncomfortable with the fact that we are one among a very small handful of PR consulting firms in the FCT despite the large pool pf registered practitioners that belong to the chapter. A significant proportion of practitioners in the chapter function within the public sector. This creates a huge gap when organisations need the services of external PR consultants which is often exploited by other firms from out of the FCT.
“This gap is also evident when firms based in other states require the services of PR consultants to work with in their quest to engage with the public sector. Obviously, an Abuja based firm, if it has the expertise would be a better fit from both cost and service efficiency points of view for such a brief because such a firm would be more adept at navigating the public service terrain and have permanent boots on the ground to deliver the required legwork,” he added.
“We are willing to work with NIPR FCT chapter on expanding the consulting practice ecosystem by building capacity of members at both experienced and entry levels. We would be proud to partner with the chapter in any project in this direction.”
Ogadigo assured Drawbridge Communication Management of the Chapter’s readiness to work with it to enhance the practice of public relations in FCT and beyond.
Along with Mr. Abdul on the Drawbridge delegation was Mr. Franklin Ginger-Eke fnipr, senior advisor to the firm and Jessica Ahmodu from the firm’s client service team.
