ASABA/Nigeria: Members of the Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have been called upon to take full advantage of the chapter’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting and professional training programme aimed at equipping practitioners with contemporary skills for leadership, accountability and sustainable national development.
The chapter said the training component of its 2026 Annual General Meeting would provide public relations practitioners with practical knowledge and strategic insights required to navigate an increasingly complex communication environment and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
In a statement issued in Asaba, the Chapter’s Public Relations Officer, Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., announced that the two-day event will hold from June 24 to June 25, 2026, in the Delta State capital.
According to him, the opening day of the programme will be dedicated to an intensive professional training session built around the theme, “Leadership, Accountability, and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Strategic Intersection of Public Relations for National Repositioning.”
Oghenesivbe explained that the choice of theme reflects the growing importance of public relations in shaping effective leadership, promoting transparency, strengthening stakeholder confidence and supporting sustainable development initiatives across public and private institutions.
He noted that as governments, businesses and organisations continue to operate in a rapidly evolving information ecosystem, communication professionals must continually update their knowledge and skills to remain effective and relevant.
“The training programme is a critical component of this year’s AGM because it is designed to equip practitioners with contemporary knowledge, practical skills and strategic insights needed to navigate today’s rapidly evolving communication environment,” he stated.
The Chapter PRO emphasized that public relations has become increasingly central to governance, corporate management, reputation building, policy communication and public engagement, making continuous professional development indispensable for practitioners.
He added that participants would gain valuable insights into the use of strategic communication as a tool for strengthening institutional credibility, promoting responsible leadership, enhancing public trust and driving sustainable socio-economic development.
Oghenesivbe further observed that Nigeria’s socio-economic and governance challenges require communication professionals to play more active roles in facilitating dialogue, managing stakeholder expectations, combating misinformation and promoting accountability through ethical practice.
According to him, the training session will expose participants to modern approaches and practical strategies for leveraging public relations as a catalyst for national transformation and development.
Activities scheduled for the second day of the programme will include a public lecture and the Chapter’s Annual General Meeting, where members will review the chapter’s activities, assess progress made over the past year and deliberate on issues affecting the public relations profession.
He described the AGM as more than a statutory gathering, noting that it provides a unique platform for learning, networking, professional collaboration and collective reflection on the future of public relations practice in Nigeria.
Oghenesivbe therefore urged all members to participate actively in the two-day programme, reaffirming the chapter’s commitment to advancing professionalism and positioning public relations as a strategic force for leadership excellence, accountability, sustainable development and national repositioning.
