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Publish date:
08/03/2021
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mm/dd/yyyy
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The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) gas expressed its displeasure over the appointment of Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyer, a non-professional PR person, as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI).
General Sawyer resumed office Friday as the spokesperson of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
Speaking to PRNigeria, a council member and Fellow of NIPR lamented that the Nigerian military disregarded the statutory provisions on the appointment of spokesperson in critical institutions and other public and private organisations.
The council member who pleaded anonymity said the institute would soon meet and consider action to be taken on the issue.
The senior PR practitioner said: “We have sent out several correspondences to public and private organisations on the legal implications of such appointments which is against the law.
“This would be the
third time DHQ had flouted the requirement by appointing
non-certified and nonprofessionals for the job of
spokesperson.
“Whenever they
appoint Heads for Accounts, Legal, Engineering and Medical
departments, for instance, they ensure they are qualified and
certified accountants, lawyers, engineers and doctors for the
top offices… Why should they treat Information and Public Relations
departments differently?
“This deliberate
policy of embarrassing a professional body for image-maker
and crisis communicators is very unfair and unfortunate.
“There are set parameters of knowledge you need to acquire before you can practise public relations. There is also laid down rules about appointing
spokespersons.
“The law establishing NIPR makes it a criminal offence for anybody to practise public relations by whatever name without certification or licensed by the
NIPR. The law provides for imprisonment, fine, or both for offenders.
Meanwhile, PRNigeria gathered the newly appointed Director of Defence Information, Major General Sawyer, is a member of the 27 Short Service Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Master of Science Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Magravs Defence Services Staff College Alex in India.
A former ADC to Lieutenant General TY Danjuma (rtd), former Minister of Defence, Sawyer was a Commanding Officer 231 Battalion, Biu and Commanding Officer, Nigerian Battalion 22 United Nations Mission in Liberia.
