The Kanwan Katsina and District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara mni, has lauded the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for its pivotal role in advancing public enlightenment and national development.
He made the remarks while receiving Alhaji Ahmad Sajo, a member of the NIPR Governing Council, alongside the newly inaugurated executive members of the Katsina State Chapter of the Institute during a courtesy visit to his palace.
Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara welcomed the revival of NIPR activities in Katsina, describing it as a timely initiative that will strengthen the professionalism of public relations officers across the state. He encouraged the new executive committee to leverage both traditional and digital media platforms to promote registration and certification of PR practitioners in line with the new regulation mandating NIPR membership for appointment as Public Relations Officers in both public and private sectors.
The monarch also advocated for the establishment of a permanent office for the Katsina State Chapter to facilitate effective operations, pledging his full support to the Institute’s growth and outreach.
Reflecting on his own career, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara shared his experience as a reporter with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Kaduna, and later as a Public Relations Officer with the Nigeria Customs Service at Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports. He proudly recalled receiving the Best PRO Award at the 1999 Annual Customs Conference in Port Harcourt.
In his address, Alhaji Ahmad Sajo conveyed greetings from the NIPR National President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, and formally inaugurated the Katsina State Chapter. He commended the Kanwan Katsina for his longstanding support of public relations and journalism, recognizing him as one of the pioneer NIPR members from Katsina State during his tenure in the Nigeria Customs Service.