The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has honoured the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and its spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, with the Diamond Award of Excellence in Professional Compliance and Service.
This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, on Friday in Abuja.
In his remarks, NIPR President, Mr Ike Neliaku, expressed gratitude to NAF for its remarkable service to the nation.
Neliaku said the award was in recognition of NAF’s adherence to the constitutional provisions of Decree 16 of June 1990, now known as the NIPR Act.
He said that organisations like the NAF had been instrumental in enabling NIPR to fulfil its mandate of regulating and controlling the practice of public relations in Nigeria.
The NIPR President commended the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, for providing the resources and an enabling environment for the Public Relations Department of NAF to thrive and excel.
He also praised the NAF spokesman for his professionalism and tact in managing the image of the NAF, especially during crisis situations.
‘’We are proud of your professionalism and happy with your efforts at managing the image of a very important arm of government like the NAF. Please keep it up,’’ he said.
In his response, Gabkwet, a member of NIPR Act Enforcement and Compliance Committee, said that many individuals and organisations had poor understanding of public relations.
According to Gabkwet, PR is all about perception, strategy, tact and being able to know when and how to effectively communicate with the general public.
He emphasised the need for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of Government to comply with NIPR Act to foster professionalism and mitigate the projection of unqualified individuals into the profession.
According to him, the consequences of projecting a non-professional as an image maker of any organisation could have negative consequences and, at times ,far reaching outcomes on Nigeria’s national security.
“Effectively communicating with the general public can only be better handled by trained professionals saddled with ensuring the integrity and efficacy of public relations practices.”,he said.
Gabkwet also thanked the Chief of the Air Staff for entrusting the management of NAF’s image to him and his team of officers, airmen/airmen and civilian staff, who are all members of NIPR.