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The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) convened its annual
National Spokesperson Summit under the theme “Change Narratives, Change
Society”. The event brought together distinguished leaders,
practitioners, and stakeholders in public relations to deliberate on the
transformative power of effective communication in shaping Nigeria’s
narrative and fostering national cohesion.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NiDCOM), In her goodwill message asserted that Journalism /
public relations stands as one of the greatest professions in the world,
as it is the cornerstone of societal interaction.
Reflecting on the summit’s theme, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged for
swift responses to combat the proliferation of fake news, noting, “The
lie has suddenly become the truth.” She emphasized the need for
spokespersons to counter false information with accurate responses,
thereby safeguarding the integrity of public discourse.
The NiDCOM Boss proposed a collaborative effort between NiDCOM and the
Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to establish a bridge of trust
with Nigerians in the Diaspora.
In his welcoming address, Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of
Council of NIPR, underscored the pivotal role of public relations in
nation-building, emphasizing that a functional PR framework is
indispensable for shaping the narrative that guides Nigeria’s
trajectory.
Echoing this sentiment, Alh. Mohammed Idris, Honorable Minister of
Information and National Orientation and Chief Host of the Summit,
emphasized the imperative of transforming Nigeria’s landscape through
effective communication. He emphasized the need for national
cohesiveness and underscored the importance of stability and growth,
which can only be achieved through transparent and timely communication.
Alh. Mohammed Idris emphasized the summit’s comprehensive approach,
stating, “The summit extends beyond networking and growth; it entails
collaborating with other PR spokespersons to realize the theme’s
objective.” His emphasis echoed the Institutes overarching goal: to
restore trust in public relations by prioritizing timely, honest, and
transparent communication.
Prof. Tonnie Eredia, Keynote Speaker, stated that a Spokeperson must be
a communicator who communicates honestly, transparently and must espouse
trust and buy-in of the citizens for National Development.
The NIPR National Spokesperson Summit served as a pivotal platform for
fostering dialogue, innovation, and collaboration towards advancing the
practice of public relations in Nigeria and beyond.
