The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged spokespersons to counter the proliferation of fake news with swift response to establish the truth for national cohesion.
Dabiri-Erewa stated this during the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR’s) annual National Spokesperson Summit under a theme titled “Change Narratives, Change Society”.
The event also brought together distinguished leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders in public relations to deliberate on the transformative power of effective communication in shaping Nigeria’s narrative and fostering national cohesion.
In her goodwill message at the event, Dabiri-Erewa insisted that Journalism / public relations stands as one of the greatest professions in the world, as it is the cornerstone of societal interaction.
Reflecting on the summit’s theme, Dabiri-Erewa urged the spokespersons to engage in swift responses to combat the proliferation of fake news.
She said, “The lie has suddenly become the truth. There is the need for spokespersons to counter false information with accurate responses, thereby safeguarding the integrity of public discourse.”
The NiDCOM boss also proposed a collaborative effort between NiDCOM and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to establish a bridge of trust with Nigerians in the Diaspora.
In his welcoming address, Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, underscored the pivotal role of public relations in nation-building, emphasizing that a functional PR framework is indispensable for shaping the narrative that guides Nigeria’s trajectory.
Echoing this sentiment, Minister of Information and National Orientation and Chief Host of the Summit, Mohammed Idris, emphasized the imperative of transforming Nigeria’s landscape through effective communication.
He also emphasized the need for national cohesiveness and underscored the importance of stability and growth, which can only be achieved through transparent and timely communication.
The Information Minister emphasized the summit’s comprehensive approach, stating that, “The summit extends beyond networking and growth; it entails collaborating with other PR spokespersons to realize the theme’s objective.” His emphasis echoed the Institutes overarching goal: to restore trust in public relations by prioritizing timely, honest, and transparent communication.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Tonnie Eredia, stated that a Spokeperson must be a communicator who communicates honestly, transparently and must expouse trust and buy-in of the citizens for National Development.
The NIPR National Spokesperson Summit served as a pivotal platform for fostering dialogue, innovation, and collaboration towards advancing the practice of public relations in Nigeria and beyond.
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