Social media places information in hands of unprofessionals – Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed Thursday said social media has placed the media in the hands of unprofessionals, who often twist information made available by public officers.

Speaking at the 2018 Annual General meeting and conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations tagged Great Abia 2018, with the theme Sustainable Development in a fragile Economy: the PR Perspective at the International Conference Center, Umuahia, Alh Mohammed said that democratization of the media is good but regretted the phenomenon.

Represented by a Director in his Ministry, Timothy Ayodeji, the information Minister who commended the NIPR president and members of the executive committee for their continued effort in advancing Public Relation’s practice in the country, also highlighted the achievements of the APC- led government in the country, assuring that his ministry will support NIPR in charting a course for higher professional standards.

In his speech, the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said his administration conceptualized the pillars of development and enablers from the onset because it realized that the country was witnessing a depressive economy.

Ikpeazu said that many projects embarked upon by the Abia state Government including rehabilitation of infrastructure were platforms to give Abians better life as well as to sustain the economy.

The Governor who spoke through the Secretary to Abia state Government, Dr Eme Okoro described the theme of the conference as apt and lauded the NIPR for recognizing Abia’s effort in turning around the economy According to him, Abia is resourceful and stressed that Nigeria can reach higher heights if they deploy their brain effectively.

Earlier, the President/Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Rotimi Oladele explained that they were in the state to think out how the nation can be better, adding that the duty of making Nigeria better is the responsibility of Nigerians and not foreigners.

In his keynote speech, Richmond Dayo- Johnson said that government must see Public Relations as a management function and include it in the management of its economy while urging the practitioners to make themselves more economically attractive.

To that end, he called on public relations practitioners to look inwards at the ethics of its members so that those who engage them will take them seriously.

Speaking later with journalists, the state Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu thanked the NIPR for choosing Abia for the conference, stating that it shows the acceptance of the state as one of the safest states in the country.

According to Okiyi, the pragmatic approach of Gov. Ikpeazu to governance through the pillars of development and its enablers made him achieve what people see today in the state.

The ceremony witnessed the presentation of awards to deserving individuals and corporate bodies.