By admin
Public Relations professionals in Kogi State have moved to revive activities of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) State Chapter, appointing the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Media, Ismaila Isah, as interim coordinator.
The resolution was reached during a one-day stakeholders’ breakfast meeting held in Lokoja, bringing together registered and prospective PR practitioners from the public and private sectors as well as academia.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Yabagi Mohammed, said participants unanimously agreed that Isah would coordinate the affairs of the Chapter pending the election of a properly constituted executive committee.
The gathering, described as the first of its kind in the state, was aimed at repositioning the Chapter and strengthening professional cohesion among practitioners.
Participants noted that Public Relations practice has grown significantly in Kogi State and should transcend its current level of recognition and application. They stressed that PR is a management and strategic communication function, not a reactive role for damage control, adding that spokespersons and communication officers should be integral to organisational leadership structures.
The meeting further resolved that PR professionals must be involved in major decision-making processes to enable proactive messaging, stakeholder engagement, and effective reputation management.
The stakeholders also emphasised that Public Relations should be treated as a core leadership function in governance and public administration to prevent communication gaps that could breed distrust and erode credibility.
They underscored the need for accuracy over speed in communication, noting that strengthening PR education is critical to national development as it bridges the gap between government and citizens, fosters social cohesion, and supports economic stability.
The communiqué stressed that a structured, ethical, and professional approach to Public Relations is essential for managing national reputations, combating misinformation, and building trust between government and the governed.
Several papers were presented by professionals from academia, government institutions, and the private sector during the meeting.
