IS PUBLIC RELATION PRACTICE IN NIGERIA A PROFESSION?

Definitions of public relation

Public relations are a management function concerned with bringing people together in understanding. Public relations practitioners employ all means of modem communication to achieve an effective two-way flow of information between the organization and its target groups.

A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested( lack of bias or self interest) counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain. It's also an occupation that requires extensive education or specialized training.

Public relation practice commenced in Nigeria in the early 1940’s as a result of the World War II. Forty-six years after it was introduced by the colonial administrators, Public relations practice became a recognized, chartered profession in June 1990, more than a decade earlier than the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public relations (CIPR). The Nigerian govt. gave legal backing to Public relation practice as a profession and professional body that could admit practitioners into the profession and set standards for its practice in Nigeria. The purpose behind gaining this status was to raise the profile of Public relation practice as a respectable and viable profession within Nigeria. The legislature ensures that discipline, standard, and the professional code of ethics are strictly maintained.

Professionals in Nigeria belong not only to some international professional bodies optionally, they also belong compulsorily to the local professional body known as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), one of the few in the world backed by a state statutory instrument in Decree 16 of 1990. The institute’s code of practice has 12 articles.

BAKED BEANS

Once upon a time, I had a maddening passion for baked beans. I loved them, but they always had a very embarrassing and somewhat odious reaction on me. Then one day I met a girl and fell in love. When it was apparent we would marry, I thought to myself, she is such a sweet girl, she will never go for this kind of carrying on. So I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans. We were married shortly thereafter.
Some months later, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since we lived in the country, I called my wife and told her I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way home, I passed a small cafe' and the odor of freshly baked beans was overwhelming, I had several miles to walk so I figured that the effects of the beans would wear off before I got home. So I stopped at the cafe' and had three orders of baked beans.
All the way home I putt-putted and after arriving, felt reasonably safe that I had putted my last putt. My wife seemed somewhat excited to see me and exclaimed delightedly. "Darling, I have the most wonderful surprise for dinner tonight." Then she blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the head of the table. I seated myself and just as she was ready to remove the blindfold, phone rang. She told me not to remove the blindfold until she returned, then went to answer the phone. I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but as ripe as a rotten egg. I took the napkin and fanned vigorously the air about me.
Things had just returned to normal when I felt another urge coming on me, so I shifted my weight to the other leg and let go again. This was a true prize winner. While keeping my ear on the conversation in the hall, I went on like this for almost ten minutes until I knew the farewell meant the end of my loneliness and freedom. I placed the napkin on my lap and folded my hands on top of it and smiled contentedly to myself. I was the picture of innocence. When my wife returned, apologizing for taking so long, she asked if I had removed the blindfold. When convinced that I hadn't removed the blindfold, she removed the blindfold, and there sitting around the dining room table were twelve dinner guests for my surprise birthday dinner.

MANFESTING KINGSHIP

  A BELIEVER’S GUIDE FOR IDENTITY REDISCOVERY

According to the book of Genesis, God created the heaven and the earth. And to give form and content to the earth, Jehovah spoke the elements of the earth into existence. This was crowned with the creation of Adam who was put in the earth typified by Eden as his kingdom of influence (Gen1:28).

In Eden, God created a kingdom of ‘deathless’ life and ‘decayless’ environment. Adam and Eve were bequeathed with the authority over everything in the world. However, when they fell to the deceit of Satan by disobeying God, Satan the serpent became the king of the world. As a result of this, sin and death reigned with dominion over the earth Rom 5:12, 6:12.

With the fall of man, the redemption plan which was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world was unfolded. This was mirrored with Noah’s Ark, Abraham’s circumcision, crossing of the Red Sea, Moses tabernacle and Solomon’s temple. Finally, Jesus Christ was revealed and He paid the ultimate price for the redemption of man.

The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ restored the lost dominion to man. Everyone that believes and receive Him should reign with the restored dominion. Knowing that Satan is the king of the world, what then does it mean for a believer to manifest kingship? This presupposes that it is only a king that manifests kingship.

What does a king look like? Let’s look at some kingly traits that we should strive to manifest: kings have authority (rule, reign), kings walk nobly, kings use justice and righteousness to establish their kingdoms. Kings need wisdom to govern the people. Kings fight battles to protect their territories. In a nutshell, kings have kingdoms, glory and power.

Kingdom- 1 Tim 1:15, Heb 1:8, Col 1:13, Rev 5:9-10. What kingdom do you belong to?

Glory- Prov 25:2, 1 Cor 2:7, Eph 3:3, Haggai 2:7, 2 Cor 10:17. What are you searching for?

Power- Act1:8, 1 Cor 2:7, Rom15:13, Zech 4:6, Luke 4:36. Which power do you trust on?

Christian kingship is our authority in Christ to exert leadership on the earth. It means reigning over the 4s - sin, self, Satan and spiritual death in our life. We have divine rights and privilege to apply Christ’s Lordship to our own life, gaining personal victory and ruling over anything unchristlike in us. It begins with Christ and me co-ruling over me (2 Cor 4:11).

Every born again Christian is a king. We are not just ordinary kings. We are priestly kings, that is, we have a high priest by whom we have access to the holiest of holies (Heb 10:19). What we do with this kingship is in our hands. It may be beyond understanding. But by faith, we must say ‘’Amen, Lord I am a king’’. We should rule and reign as kings on this Earth, over Satan, over the curse and circumstances and situations in our lives (Ps 81:1-9).

When we became born again, God imparted His nature of righteousness on us (2 Pet 1:4). We manifest kingship in this world by the empowerment we get when we walk in righteousness. Again, God has not planned to kill the devil now but the truth is that the devil flees when we show up in any situation in the world (Jn 1:5). God has given the dominion of the earth to believers.

We must know who we are. By the grace of God, we are no longer conformed to the world. This means our mind; decisions and actions are no longer the same as that of the world. The consciousness of our righteousness causes us to walk in dominion and speak with authority. Thoughts of fear, failure and defeat become alien to us as we function in the kingly office God has appointed us to occupy.

No wonder the Apostle Paul declares in Rom 8:37 ‘’… we are more than conquerors through Him’’. It is not ourselves. We have been made kings by the royal and effective blood of the Lamb. Fore-example, a foot soldier is vital to an army’s conquest yet his responsibility ends after victory has been won. To be more than a conqueror is to be a ruler of what is conquered- a king (Col 2:15).

It is a misnomer that so many believers do not know their identity in Christ. But thanks to Jehovah who is increasingly illuminating the lives of believers by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 4:17). As we yield to the move of the Holy Spirit, the Lion of the tribe of Judah causes the lion in us to awake to the truth pertaining to identity, co-heir and kingship.

As this happens, the ruler of the world fidgets and squirms in threatened agitation. When believers are not manifesting kingship, Satan has free reign-he plunders the domain of the king while the king sits oblivious on his throne.

At creation, Elohim spoke and things came into existence. It is this authority that God the Son gave to believers when He reconciled us to the Father (Jn 20:21). The King of kings speaks and he expects believers who are kingly- priests to speak like Him. ‘’… the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach’’ (Rom 10:8).

From the foregoing, it is clear that kingship goes with authority and power. Kings are often authoritarian. They rule by decrees which go into effect as they say them. That is how God want us to reign as well (Job22:28). If our kingdom is the kingdom of light, then our pattern of kingship would be that of God (1 Pet 2:9, Is 32:1). Eph 6:10-20 illustrates God’s template for manifesting kingship in the earth.

Vs 10   SOURCE OF POWER

Do you know who you are? You have a place in God’s agenda. He has given you authority and power by the Holy Spirit that dwells in you (Luke4:36, Micah 3:8).

Vs 11-13DEFENCE STRATEGY

You must be battle ready. Kings stock their armouries even when there is peace. Go for the right weapons (1 Sam 17:38-40). Unmask the enemy. Satan and his demons continually want to encroach into your kingdom. Your strategy must be word based. He flees when believers stand their ground. ‘’Nothing missing, nothing broken’’.

Vs 14   VALUE SYSTEM

What is in your loins? Is it the truth? (Jn 8:32, Jn 7:38). Your loins carry your future (Heb 7:9-10). The breastplate is a covering for vital organs-lungs and heart during battles. What do you take into your heart? ‘’Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life’’ (Ps 4:23). If righteousness is your breastplate (Prov 14:34), then you will be exalted and everyone the Lord has put in your care will rejoice (Prov 29:2).

Vs 15   KINGDOM INTEREST

Readiness to move as led by the Holy Spirit (Acts 26:16). Where do your feet enter? Mk 16:15-18. We must be carriers of the gospel of peace. Acknowledge your freedom as a citizen of heaven and your duty to pursue the interest of the kingdom.

Vs 16   TERRITOTIAL INTEGRITY

With faith the believer is able to stop every attack of the enemy (1 Pet 5:8). Taking the shield of faith means walking in the Spirit (2 Cor 5:7).  What do you do in the face of difficulty? Do you blab or run from one man to another? Kings react with dignity. They exude confidence and nobility.

Vs 17   RIGHTS AND PRIVILEDGES

Are you saved? You must be born of the Spirit to have life. The assurance of your salvation is the right to eternal life. This brings you under the shadow of the Almighty. The sword of the spirit is the offensive weapon in the kingdom of light.

Vs 18   CHAIN OF COMMAND

When kings make declarations of war, their armies go to war. Likewise, when we pray in the Spirit the sword of the Spirit is released. Every kingdom has a command structure and unknown tongue is the language of the kingdom of light. Angels are the armies God has given to us (Heb 12:22, Ps 78:25, 2 Cor 2:14). Angels swing into action (Heb 1:14) when we speak in unknown tongues because it is their language (1 Cor 13:1). Infact, it is on this basis that believers will judge angels (1 Cor 6:3). Als

Vs 19-20 ROYALTY

Kings are sovereign in their domains. Their source of authority is sacrosanct. They are bold to speak concerning any issue in their kingdom. We must b bold in professing our faith (Heb 10:23). We are ambassadors of Christ and our kingly authority is from Him (2 Cor 5:20).

 

Regards

Sokore Collins Erebi

Founder/CKO

Scholars Without Borders

Warri, Nigeria

Email:scholarswithoutborders@yahoo.com

Phone: +234(0)8060488800