Ayade Tasks NIPR On Corruption

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has charged members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR), to draw a line between lobbying and corruption.
Dropping the challenge while delivering a speech on the theme: ‘Lobbying and Social Change in Nigeria,’ during a workshop organised by the NIPR at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, Ayade urged practitioners of the profession to do their best in ensuring that optimum result is achieved in their quest to draw a line between corruption and lobbying.
Ayade, who was the special guest at the ceremony, maintained that there was a thin line between lobbying and corruption, and therefore called on the leadership of the NIPR to regulate the practice of lobbying as a profession.
The governor said, “The use of money to influence a decision is corruption; so how do you deal with a situation where you are advocating lobbying without necessarily bringing out the essential elements that brings the poison that comes with corruption?
“The laws of Nigeria, our attitude and orientation do not allow us to see clearly the distinction between corruption and lobbying, except such laws are so strong and stiff.
“Those who will draft the laws, guidelines and framework that deal with lobbying must spell out clearly the essentials that constitute corruption,” he added.

By:  Friday Nwagbara, Calabar