By Akpan David, Calabar
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has called on authorities in Nigeria to upgrade lobbying professional and institutionalised.
The call was made in the ongoing 3-day conference at Transcorp hotel Calabar by Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, the Chairman, NIPR Education Advisory Board.
He described lobbyists as people whose business is to influence legislation, regulation or other government decision action and policies on behalf of a group or individual who hires them.
He said they are pushing to see that lobbying is even studied at school like other professions so that the country can also have professional lobbyists to help influence policies.
According to Dandaura, lobbying is integral to modern strategic communication required to drive participatory governance.
“It is largely a public relations function, which should be legally protected.”
Speaking similarly, Mukhtar Sirajo, the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, said that the workshop was organized in an effort to streamline the institutionalization of professional lobbying as a PR function in Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, Senator Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on the Niger Delta Affairs said the push by the institute is a very good move, urging all not to see lobbying in the negative perspective.
He said he himself is a professional lobbyist for the federal government.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of award of excellence to the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade.
