By Chinenye Ezonfade and Larry Mogbeyiteren
ABEOKUTA/Nigeria: In a remarkable post-conference encounter, former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, engaged participants from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), who are members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Delta State Chapter, emphasizing the important role of public relations practitioners in product development alongside image management.
During the interaction with the DESOPADEC team led by Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade, Chief Obasanjo underscored the imperative for PR professionals to transcend mere image projection and actively participate in product creation.
He stated, “It does not make sense to just be confined to managing and positively projecting the image or reputation of an organisation or a country without more. I would rather suggest that the public relations practitioner should be fully involved in the actual preparation and manufacture of the product.”
Highlighting the challenge of marketing subpar products, Chief Obasanjo emphasized the importance of ensuring credibility and excellence at every stage of production. The team’s visit concluded with a tour of the Presidential Library complex, enriching their understanding of effective public engagement.
The encounter left the DESOPADEC team energized, signaling a renewed commitment to proactive public relations strategies.
Those in the visit were Mrs. Chinenye Ezonfade, Larry Mogbeyiteren, Esq., Mr. Boniface Nzesi Ossai, Mrs. Joyce Akpalikpo and Mrs Fransisca Okoro.
