ABUJA/Nigeria: In a bid to counter the growing threat of disinformation and promote national integration, Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, challenged public relations (PR) professionals to uphold truth and effective communication. Speaking at the inaugural National Spokespersons Summit organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Vice President emphasized the pivotal role of PR in maintaining social order.
Themed “Change Narrative, Change Society,” the two-day summit aimed to address the challenges posed by information overload and featured spokespersons from various sectors. Represented by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Vice President Shettima highlighted the spokespersons’ critical responsibility in amplifying the voices of the misrepresented and misunderstood, ultimately contributing to a better future.
Warning against the dangers of misinformation, Senator Shettima stressed the importance of timely and evidence-based responses. He described spokespersons not only as gatekeepers of truth but also as defenders of the public against fake news merchants. He emphasized that winning the war against misinformation requires a strong commitment to truth and a steadfast defense of the public interest.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s citizen engagement efforts, VP Shettima invited PR professionals to collaborate in reshaping Nigeria’s narrative and reinventing society. He urged spokespersons to be inclusive, leaving room for diverse perspectives at the table.
In his remarks, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, underscored the role of effective communication in shaping perceptions and building trust. He highlighted the need for a cohesive national identity that transcends ethnic, religious, and political divides, emphasizing the importance of crafting a compelling national narrative.
Minister Idris announced plans to unveil the “Nigeria Values Charter” this year, aimed at defining shared values and reinforcing national identity. He praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting their positive impact on various sectors of the economy.
Speaking about the summit, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, described the first day of the summit as “Highly educative and insightful”.
Also in attendance from Delta is the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and Bro Emma Ogidi, a Fellow of the Institute, and a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP South-South.
Other dignitaries at the summit’s opening ceremony included Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, and Chairman of the Nigeria-Australia Group, Hon. Muhammad Inuwa Bassi, among others. The summit attendees expressed optimism that the event would inspire commitment and drive the desired change in Nigeria’s communication landscape.
