The Principal and Chief Executive of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Engr. Dr. Samuel E. Onoji, has reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to professionalism, strategic communication and human capital development, while expressing readiness to sustain collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Delta State Chapter.
Dr. Onoji gave the assurance when he received a delegation of the NIPR Delta State Chapter led by the Chapter Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, MNIPR, during a courtesy visit to his office in Effurun.
The PTI Chief Executive expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the institute for its contributions to the growth and development of public relations practice in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the critical role of effective communication in institutional development and stressed the need for communication professionals to continually update their skills in line with global best practices.
Dr. Onoji also commended members of staff responsible for communication and public relations functions within the institute for their dedication and professionalism in projecting the image and achievements of PTI.
According to him, strategic communication remains an important tool for fostering stakeholder engagement, building public confidence and supporting the attainment of institutional goals.
Earlier, the Secretary of the NIPR Delta State Chapter, who represented the cghairman, Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, Fnipr, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, thanked the PTI management for its continued support and cooperation with the institute over the years.
Enebeli used the opportunity to enlighten the PTI management on the statutory role of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations as the professional body established to regulate public relations practice in Nigeria.
He explained that NIPR was established in 1963 and subsequently strengthened through legislation enacted by the National Assembly, empowering the institute to regulate, certify and monitor public relations practitioners in both public and private organisations.
According to him, the law requires individuals occupying public relations and information management positions in government institutions and private establishments to be professionally certified by the institute.
The Chapter Secretary noted that the Federal Government attaches significant importance to the institute’s regulatory role, explaining that the NIPR Governing Council comprises elected professionals and government-appointed representatives who oversee the affairs of the profession nationwide.
He further highlighted the institute’s certification and professional development programmes, including its Masterclass initiative designed to provide practitioners from diverse academic backgrounds with the opportunity to acquire the competencies and qualifications required for professional public relations practice.
Enebeli encouraged PTI staff involved in communication-related responsibilities to take advantage of the institute’s training opportunities and certification programmes to enhance their professional capacity and career development.
He also informed the Principal about the forthcoming 2026 Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture of the NIPR Delta State Chapter, scheduled to hold on June 24 and 25, 2026. He explained that the first day would feature training and certification programmes for members, while the second day would be dedicated to the Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture.
The NIPR Secretary further disclosed that Nigeria would host the World Public Relations Forum later in the year, bringing together public relations professionals, communication experts and industry leaders from more than 26 countries.
He noted that the international event would provide a unique platform for promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage, strengthening professional networks and showcasing the country’s communication and public relations capabilities to the global community.
Enebeli appealed to the PTI management to encourage staff participation in both the chapter’s programmes and the international forum, stressing that such engagements would expose participants to emerging trends, innovative ideas and global best practices in strategic communication.
The visit ended on a cordial note with both parties reaffirming their commitment to promoting professionalism, strategic communication and capacity development.
The PTI management team at the meeting included the Registrar, Mr. Isaac Fregene, and the Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department, Mr. Suleiman Zailani. For NIPR, were Barr. Larry Mogbeyiteren, and Mrs. Francisca Okoro.