Abuja: The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has officially inducted 73 Public Relations Officers (PROs) from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). This induction marks a significant step towards enhancing the professional capabilities of the NIS’s communication team.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the induction event was part of the Certification and Training Programme organized collaboratively by the NIS and the NIPR. Speaking at the closing ceremony in Abuja, NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap, emphasized the importance of professional excellence in achieving an operationally efficient service. Nandap, represented by Deputy Comptroller General Franca Nwanneka, highlighted the necessity for NIS to gain professional respect and global recognition.
The programme was designed to reinforce the NIS’s commitment to building a professional, innovative, and service-oriented institution. Nandap noted that effective communication is now crucial to institutional success, underscoring the evolution of Public Relations from mere information dissemination to a strategic function that builds public trust, protects institutional reputation, and strengthens stakeholder confidence.
Nandap addressed the participants, stressing the need for effective communication to maximize the impact of NIS’s ongoing reforms. These reforms aim at enhancing border governance, improving service delivery, and leveraging technology for better migration management. She urged the officers to act with professionalism, integrity, and accuracy as they carry out their duties as the service’s image custodians.
The Comptroller General encouraged the newly inducted PROs to apply their training in their respective commands, emphasizing that certification should lead to improved performance and strategic stakeholder engagement. She also expressed gratitude to the NIPR for its partnership, which she believes will yield lasting benefits for the NIS.
Dr. Ike Neliaku, Chairman and President of the NIPR Governing Council, charged the officers to serve as storytellers, reputation ambassadors, and solution providers. He pointed out that as the first point of contact for foreigners entering Nigeria, the NIS personnel play a crucial role in shaping international perceptions of the country.
Neliaku underscored the importance of the officers’ roles, stating that they have become ambassadors entrusted with projecting the mandates of both the NIS and Nigeria as a nation. He expressed confidence in the training provided, believing it equipped the officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively.
In closing remarks, Service Public Relations Officer Mr. Akinsola Akinlabi assured that the training would enhance the officers’ capacity to project the NIS’s image with professionalism and credibility. He encouraged participants to apply the lessons learned by accurately and responsibly communicating the service’s achievements, policies, and operations.