The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has pledged readiness and to the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in order to ensure the successful hosting of the prestigious World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).
The global event which comes up in Abuja, Nigeria's capital in November held under the auspices of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
The forum is a globally recognized platform that brings together public relations professionals, communication strategists, policymakers, academics, and business leaders from across the world to discuss emerging trends, ethical standards, innovation, and the future of strategic communication globally.
Nigeria recently won the right to host the three-in-one event in Abuja.
The pledge was made in during the week in Abuja, by Executive Chairman of the Commission, Chief Saviour Enyiekere, when he received a delegation of the NIPR led by its Acting President of the Institute, Prof Emmanuel Dandaura.
The NIPR delegation which comprised of the National Planning Committee of the WPRF on a courtesy visit to the was aimed at sensitising the Commission and soliciting its collaboration towards the successful hosting of the event.
Enyiekere affirmed the commitment of the Commission to work with the Instiute to make the event a very successful and memorable one, stressing that this initiative would greatly enhance Nigeria’s international reputation and strengthen institutional communication capacity.
He emphasized that hosting the Forum aligns with Nigeria’s broader objective of promoting transparency, effective governance, and global engagement .
The Chairman of the Commission was particularly delighted that the Institute was bringing people from over 150 countries to Nigeria at a time many foreigners believed the country was insecure.
His words, "It is a great job that you have done, it is a great feat to bring the world to Nigeria at this period that many foreigners are afraid of coming here because of fear of insecurity".
Earlier, Prof Dandaura explained that the World Public Relations Forum will provide an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s expertise, cultural richness, and professional standards to the global community.
He emphasised that
hosting the WPRF in Abuja would
position Nigeria as a leading hub for strategic communication in Africa, boost tourism,
foster international collaboration and investment opportunities as well promote ethical standards and innovation in public relations practice.
According to him, NIPR, as the statutory regulatory body for public relations practice in Nigeria, needed governmental backing for the proper regulation of communications profession as a way of properly projecting a positive narrative about the country.
Accordingly, the institute urged the Commission to endeavor to comply with the NIPR laws that prohibit non professionals from holding any position or acting in any capacity as a spokesperson or protocol officer in any organisation without due qualification and registration with the institute
The Institute also enjoined the Commission to avail its PR personnel of the numerous professional training and capacity building opportunities offered by the NIPR as way of equipping them with the knowledge and skills they needed for optimum performance of their duties.
Prof Dandaura also tasked the Commission to always sponsor its PR personnel to actively participate in all the institute's programmes, activities and trainings as these would help sharpen their skills and enhance productivity. The Institute also requested the Executive Chairman to be part of its session on the legislature.
The visit was facilitated by the WPRF-NIPR Legislature Team working with the NASC Department of Public Affairs.