ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has expressed concern over what it described as the worrisome trend of insecurity and killings of Nigerians both within and outside Nigeria.
The observation contained in a communiqué issue by the NIPR, Delta State chapter at its monthly meeting held at the French Language Centre, Asaba on Thursday, August 15, 2019.
The Chapter who noted with concern the trend stated that recently the terrible image the country has acquired as a result of human rights violations, extra judiciary killings and the unhealthy rivalry of Nigerias security agencies has become worrisome.
The Chapter resolved that Nigeria can rise up to the challenges if we all get involved in nations building, even as it called on the relevant authority to engage professionals who understands the dynamics of public relations management and issues that impact on reputation.
The chapter took a cursory look at the circumstances surrounding the killing of three police officers in Taraba State and condemned the act in its entirety, even as it viewed the unfortunate incident as the outcome of lack of synergy, trust and unnecessary rivalry among security agencies in the country.
While condoling with the families of the slain police officers, the NIPR blamed the escalation of insecurity and inter-agency feud in Nigeria on the failure of leadership and lack of commitment to civility by security operatives and political leaders.
It insisted that even though the job of the PR departments of the Defence and Force Headquarters was to manage the crisis in an attempt to clean up the mess and ultimately restore public trust, telling the whole truth on the situation remained sacrosanct.
It stated that lack of proper synergy among security agencies and unhealthy rivalry would impact negative on nations reputation.
The State Chapter described the claims and counter-claims of the army and police as a show of shame, saying they have far reaching effects in validating the accusations by international agencies of the nation’s security agencies of human rights abuses including unlawful killings.
While emphasizing that sincere and result-oriented management of crisis was predicated on truth, no matter whose hose is gored, the Chapter harped on the need for a stronger security system for the nation based on trust, collaboration and mutual respect among the sister security agencies.
In the face of imminent clash due to actions and inactions among security personnel, the Chapter called on the various security agencies to put the parochial interest of their individual forces aside and protect the integrity of the nation first at all times.
The Chapter welcomed the investigation into the issue ordered by the presidency and appealed that a thorough job should be done with a view to properly sanctioning all unprofessional conducts and acts of impunity.
The Chapter restated the support and commitment of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations on national unity and for proper management of national reputation.
It commended the Chairman and Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah for reviving the State Chapter of NIPR and bringing back professionalism and best practices among Information Officers in the State Civil Service and Communication Managers in other sectors of the State economy.
