President and Chairman-in-Council NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku (right) at the meeting in Uyo on Tuesday.
By Dianabasi Effiong
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has said that effective communication in leadership can address major challenges in the country.
The President and Chairman-in-Council of the institute, Dr Ike Neliaku, made this known at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Public Relations Week 2025 on Tuesday in Uyo.
He also said that though effective communication in leadership had been a challenge to Nigeria’s prosperity, it could be addressed through collaborative efforts.
“Lack of effective communication is a major problem of leadership in Nigeria. We can build a prosperous Nigeria together if we work collaboratively,” he said.
According to the NIPR President, Nigeria will host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum.
He said that public relations practitioners from around the world would be expected at the forum.
Also addressing the occasion, the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alh. Mohammed Idris, assured that the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had led to a robust economic recovery for Nigeria.
“The two years of the Tinubu administration have shown significant progress, including the allocation of N1.5 trillion to revamp the Bank of Agriculture,” he said.
He also appealed to public relations professionals to key into ongoing efforts and reforms to rebrand the nation’s reputation and attract investors to Nigeria.
Similarly, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi highlighted the importance of public relations in economic development, adding that public relations practitioners could work collaboratively with the larger media to market Nigeria globally.
Reflecting on the theme of the Nigerian Public Relations Week 2025, “Harnessing Public Relations for Nigerian Economic Relations”, the host governor expressed optimism that public relations practitioners could also play crucial roles in building a better Nigeria by working with government and investors to positively project the country.
High points of the event were posthumous awards to three distinguished Nigerians, including the late LOC Chairman of NPRW25, Dr Uduak Obot, in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s image and reputation-building, and management
The body of Advisors of Nigeria Reputation Management Group, led by Dr John Momoh (Chairman), Muhammed Kudu Abubakar (Inaugural Secretary), and Bashiru Adeniyi, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (Vice Chairman), was also inaugurated at the occasion.
