NIPR Unveils Nigeria Reputation Management Group
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has formally unveiled an initiative that is poised to become Nigeria’s biggest possible transformation pillar and driver.
The leading professional Institute said the project is one of the recommendations of the 2022 Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security of the Institute, that a body corporate should be created, whose sole responsibility will be to manage the reputation of Nigeria, to be known as, Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG).
At the unveiling ceremony of NRMG in Abuja on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 the President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku described reputation is a core asset of inestimable value nations, organisations and individuals.
“A good reputation is more valuable than money,” he said, quoting Roman writer, Publilius Syrus.
While emphasizing that Nigeria's reputation and image needs conscious and deliberate attention as earlier admitted by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Dr. Neliaku said the event is NIPR’s robust response to the call, stating that the Institute has the biggest body of knowledge in Africa and is well positioned and ready to deal with issues of reputation in the country.
"The point needs also be made, that, like a living thing, reputation is birthed; reputation needs air to survive; reputation is nurtured with the right character. When reputation is created and built as an asset, it is consiously managed and effectively sustained.
"According to LinkedIn’s library of Public Diplomacy, evaluating a nation's reputation requires 5 main criteria. Essential elements of this criteria include culture, governance, economy, society, and environment. It went further to explain that “Culture is evaluated based on the appeal, distinctiveness, and influence of a country's culture. Governance is judged on the degree of democracy, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. Economy is evaluated on the prosperity, innovation, and competitiveness of a country's economy.
"Society looks at the diversity, tolerance, inclusivity, and support for social welfare. Environment is assessed on the cleanliness, sustainability and resilience of a country's environment", he stated.
He said the initiative is a professional, private sector led platform, that will partner with relevant agencies of government and the private sector, to harvest, harness, recreate and manage the country's reputation capital as one of the biggest and most valued assets of the nation.
While thanking the Institute's partners for working with NIPR in other vital areas, Dr. Neliaku reiterated that "NRMG is conceived as a professional, private sector-led complimentary solution, aimed at strengthening and repositioning Nigeria’s reputation capital as a core national asset, for stronger domestic relevance, and global competitiveness, on a deliberate, sustainable basis, through collaboration and partnerships."
Also in his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris hailed the "groundbreaking initiative" which is aimed at repositioning and bolstering the brand reputation of Nigeria.
"To accomplish this, the Group will build strategic partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders across various sectors, including government, private industry, civil society, the media and youth organizations, within and outside the country.
"As you’re all aware, a country’s brand reputation is one of its core assets, alongside its financial and natural and mineral resources. However, the intangibility of brand reputation means that it is often not reckoned with or grossly underestimated in the accounting of a country’s primary assets. This dismissive mindset is what the NIPR seeks to challenge, through the NRMG", he stated.
While commending the Governing Council of NIPR for displaying strong and proactive leadership he pledged commitment to be fully involved in and associated with the endeavour.
The Minister said the third pillar of his Ministerial agenda is about the reorientation of national values in Nigeria, which is an area closely linked to national reputation and branding, commending NIPR for emerging as a worthy and committed partner to this all-important assignment.
Also speaking, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar commended NIPR for the initiative, saying perception has profound implications on a nation's political standing, its economic growth and social cohesion.
The Minister said time has come for Nigeria to embrace a proactive approach to reputation management, which he highlighted must begin with effective communication.
"We must tell our own story before others tell it for us, and we must ensure that the story we tell is both honest and aspirational. National reputation is not about glossing over challenges or ignoring problems, but about framing those challenges within a broader narrative of progress, resilience and potential", he noted.
Applauding the project, the Chairman and the occasion and Chairman Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh said every Nigerian has a role to play in upholding the principles of honesty and responsibility, maintaining that integrity of the leadership and followership will determine whether the country will move forward or trapped in cycles of corruption and stagnation.
"We cannot demand integrity from others if we do not hold ourselves accountable. Corruption thrives when it is tolerated, and we must each play our part in upholding the principles of honesty and responsibility.
"The path to rebuilding our nation begins with every individual practicing the values that we want to see reflected in our own leadership", he advised.
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