Maryam Abacha American College of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has made historical past as the primary college in Northern Nigeria to be granted company membership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

This milestone was marked by the induction of fifty Mass Communication college students of the establishment into the scholar membership cadre of the NIPR.

The induction ceremony, held on Thursday on the Faculty of Social and Administration Sciences, MAAUN, was presided over by a Council Member of NIPR and Chairman, Board of Administrators of Picture Service provider Promotion Restricted (IMPR), Dr Sule Yau Sule.

Sule Yau Sule, a professor of communication on the Bayero College Kano lauded MAAUN for prioritizing skilled growth, noting that the establishment had given its college students a aggressive benefit within the discipline of public relations.

“MAAUN has demonstrated an distinctive dedication to professionalising communication and media research by securing company membership of the NIPR. This aligns with the NIPR Act, which mandates that people and company entities working towards public relations in Nigeria have to be registered with the institute. By taking this daring step, MAAUN is setting a precedent for different establishments to comply with,” he said.

In response to the NIPR Act No. 16 of 1990, “no individual shall have interaction within the follow of public relations for a price, acquire, or reward except he’s registered by the Institute.” The Act additionally offers for company membership, permitting establishments and organizations to align with skilled requirements within the discipline.

Talking on” PR within the Digital Period: Tendencies, Instruments, and Methods” on the occasion, the Managing Director/CEO of IMPR, Yushau Shuaib, underscored the essential function of NIPR in fostering professionalism in public relations and nationwide growth. He urged the newly inducted college students to grab the chance to construct a robust basis for his or her careers.

“Public relations is a strong software for shaping narratives, fostering unity, and selling nationwide growth. By means of this membership, these college students at the moment are a part of knowledgeable physique that upholds ethics, greatest practices, and steady studying. I encourage them to leverage this platform to boost their expertise and contribute meaningfully to society,” he mentioned.

The Chairman of the NIPR Kano Chapter, Aliyu Yusuf, described the induction as a gateway to skilled excellence, urging the scholars to maximise the advantages of their membership.

“This induction is not only a formality however a stepping stone to skilled development. The NIPR offers networking alternatives, capacity-building packages, and industry-recognized certifications that may place you for fulfillment within the discipline of public relations and past,” he said.

The occasion, themed “The Position of NIPR and Social Media in Nation Constructing,” explored the influence of public relations and digital communication on governance, public notion, and nationwide growth.

In his opening remarks, the President of MAAUN, Professor (Dr) Mohammed Israr, emphasised the significance of moral communication in nation-building. He highlighted the alternatives and challenges introduced by social media in governance and public engagement.

“As we navigate the complexities of recent governance, efficient communication has turn out to be extra essential than ever. The NIPR, because the premier skilled physique for public relations practitioners in Nigeria, performs a significant function in selling moral communication practices, capability constructing, and advocacy,” he said.

Prof. Israr additional famous that whereas social media gives huge alternatives for engagement and coverage dissemination, it additionally presents challenges reminiscent of misinformation, hate speech, and pretend information. He urged public relations practitioners to leverage social media responsibly to foster fact-based communication, tolerance, and inclusivity.

“As we transfer ahead, I urge the NIPR to proceed selling excellence in public relations follow whereas additionally addressing the rising challenges and alternatives introduced by social media. By doing so, we will harness the ability of efficient communication to construct a extra cohesive, knowledgeable, and affluent Nigerian society,” he concluded.

The induction ceremony and the coaching workshop was organised by PRNigeria Centre. The programme mark a major step in MAAUN’s dedication to professionalising communication research and equipping its college students with the credentials and expertise essential to excel within the evolving media and public relations panorama.