A Public Relations Consultant, Mr Oyewole Olaoye, has advised public relations practitioners to be careful and prudent in the use of social media in discharging their duties.

Olaoye was the Guest Speaker at the monthly meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) FCT chapter on Wednesday in Abuja.

The title of the lecture is “Appropriate use of Social Media to Enhance Public Relations Practice.’’

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Olaoye said that social media had come to stay as its proficiency had become a basic requirement in public relations.

The consultant, however, said there need for public relations practitioners to be mindful of how they deploy social media because of its inherent dangers.

“Social media is now a threat to society; people will clone a video of Rwandan genocide and say it is in Nigeria and it will be shared to cause problems.

“As practitioners, you cannot afford to be flippant like those who do not have the training you have.

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“A lot of insults and falsehood are spread through social media.

“Be careful who you follow on social media; verify your friend; check the type of friends he keeps; a lot of cyber criminals or on social media.

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“Remember, there is nothing you have done on social media that has gone; even those you deleted are there,’’ he said.

According to him, efficient and fast use of the social media will help a practitioner stay ahead of any negative story about his organization.

He said that while trying to use social media for image laundry; practitioners should always uphold the truth.

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Olaoye said that every social media is monitored by the owner, adding that security agents use it for cyber and counter cyber offensive.

Dr Tayo Hastrup, Chairman, NIPR, Abuja chapter, while speaking with newsmen at the sidelines, expressed dismay at the rate of quackery in the profession.

He said that NIPR remained the only professional body empowered by an Act of parliament to be in charge of reputation management in Nigeria.

“Practitioners should explore the positive sides of social media to advance the cause of their organisations.

“They should use the social media in fighting quacks in the profession.

“The professional platform in an initiative of NIPR, FCT chapter to build members’ capacity for efficient professional service delivery,’’ he said.