PR practitioners tasked on re-branding Nigeria”s image

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abuja chapter has called on the federal government to set up of a public relations roadmap for reputation managers at various levels of governance to stem the rising cases of negative publicity against the country. Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr. […]

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abuja chapter has called on the federal government to set up of a public relations roadmap for reputation managers at various levels of governance to stem the rising cases of negative publicity against the country.

Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr. Cosmas Uzodinma, stated this during his presentation at the monthly meeting of the chapter in Abuja, a statement by the chapter’s Public Relations Officer, Stanley Ogadigo said.

Uzodinma said Nigeria is not as bad as it is being portrayed, stressing that the barrage of negative publicity targeted at Nigeria by both domestic and foreign media has called for a Public Relations roadmap for Nigeria’s reputation managers at various levels of governance.

He also called on media organizations to adopt organizing principles in their narrative and portrayal of Nigeria.

"This is with a view to stemming the current volley of negative media that demonizes Nigeria far beyond what it truly is" he said.

Uzodinma who regretted that the country already has enough adversaries prayed that the reputation managers at various levels of governance must be weaned from the current strategy of conducting public relations project on adhoc, episodic and fire brigade manner.

"We must adopt organizing principles to which we can hold the media, film and tourism industries as well as other national social mobilization institutions accountable. We must evolve a framework to measure our PR strategies.

“Such parameters must provide answers to such questions as to whether such materials could lead to a better image for Nigeria; spotlight the positives about our nation; bolster our economic credentials; respect and not pull down our leaders – who are the physical embodiment of our sovereignty and appeal to our cherished values" he adds.

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the NIPR, Mr Tayo Haastrup advised Nigerians to support the country’s growth by emphasizing on its strength, achievements and various innovations.

Haastrup who lamented that the country is suffering from negative publicity, said the NIPR is set to partner with Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the rebranding Nigeria project.

“NIPR is planning to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make sure that we speak to ambassadors and ambassador-designates and draw up a programme for them on rebranding Nigeria.