The National Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Osun State chapter has conferred awards of excellence on distinguished personalities for their diligent service and professional contribution to the development of the society.
The award ceremony which was held in Osogbo, the State capital on Saturday was attended by prestigious men and women, monarchs, PR practitioners among others.
The Institute awarded former Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Professor Abdulganiy Raji, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, Spokesperson to former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Mr Ismail Omipidan, The Chief Executive Officer of Rave FM and Western Spring, Mr Femi Adefila, among others for their diligent services to the society.
Speaking with InsightMedia, the Chairman of NIPR in Osun, Ademola Adesoji revealed that the awardees were graded based on professionalism and service rendered.
“Basically, what Osun State chapter of NIPR is all about is professionalism and we try to create a committee that worked on this edition of the award ceremony and they sent in their nominations which we set another committee to do a background check on them. So after they did the background check, we approved the report”.
“Apparently, what we looked at was their act of service, the services they render for the development of the society, and the organisations they represent.”
He also emphasised that some sets were graded for their accountability and integrity. Citing the Former Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner for example. He said, “we called him before the election and he promised us that there’s not going to be any itch during and after the elections and at the end of the day after serving his tenure, as the REC, we called him and presented the award to him for serving well.”
“There are other series of categories of awardees which we try to do a background check on them and we discovered that they are people with integrity and served the community well”, Adesoji stated.
The NIPR Chairman also said that the award ceremony was also a way of motivating others to be diligent and professional on their duties as they are watching them.
“One thing about strengthening the PR sector in the State is you will discover that there are some members that we gave valuable member’s award, people that are working to build and sustain the image of their organisations, now that they have this award, they will be conscious of the fact that professional bodies are monitoring them. And we will pick the best of the best to give an award at the end of the year.
SP Opalola expressed her excitement of being honored by NIPR, describing the award as best she has received.
“NIPR is the best award I have ever had because the award is related to my profession” she said. She urged others to do things diligently, because people are watch
“Whenever you’re found doing or assignment, you should learn to do it diligently, people are watching”.
Reacting to the award, Omipidan appreciated the Institute for the recognition, adding that he feels honoured by the award.
“I feel very honoured, as a matter of fact, I run away from awards in my four years in Osun. This will be the second award given to me. The first one was by the NUJ and this one is by NIPR. I feel highly elated that some of the little things I did were noticed and I thank the organisers for the recognition”.
Extending his gratitude to his principal, Omipidan said “if he hadn’t appointed me, people would not have had the opportunity of accessing me let alone honoring me with awards. I thank my Principal, former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for giving me the opportunity to work with him.”
