By: Felix Ikpotor
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has charged government and private sectors in Nigeria to always employ the services of professional public relation practioners in stakeholders engagement for proper communication that would douse tension, restore trust and rebuild economy.
Rev. Francis Asuk, Chairman of the Rivers State Council of NIPR made the call in an address at the opening ceremony of 2025 Public Relations Week in Port Harcourt with the theme, ” Refocusing Stakeholders Engagement and public Trust in a Challenging Economy”.
Asuk said strategic communutcation is key to peace building and governance, regretting that the use of non professionals have adversely affected stakeholders engagement and endangered public trust.
He lamented that public trust is fast eroding and thereby affecting government operations and businesses.
”Across Nigeria and the World, public trust is eroding. Economic challenges, misinformation and institutional fatigue have tested the resilience of governments, businesses and communities alike. In such a time, the role of the public relations professional becomes indispensable to rebuild confidence, restore truth and facilitate transparent engagement that drives collective progress.
”For this year’s event, we’re focused on stakeholders’ engagement, truth building and national economy, and the economy of Rivers State in particular…, we think that it is important for organisations, government at every levels to engage their Stakeholders properly, ” he said.
Asuk added: “We think that this is important for us, Rivers State is a thriving State, growing State, a State known for hospitality, and we’re accommodating; and inspite of all the challenges we have had, it is important that the people must be engaged community and various other levels, that that is how goverance will become very easy and appreciative.
”This is why we’re insisting that those who are professionally qualified to handle stakeholders’ engagement should be deployed into the business of stakeholders engagement. We find out that in many cases, people who are not qualified, not experienced and don’t even have the right temperament of engaging the people are involved in Stakeholders engagement and for this, rather than having positive outcomes, most times, the outcomes are negative.”
The PR expert believed that the Rivers State in particular has gone through processes that have dented its image before the committee of states and nation, and that it is time to engage in image repairs to regain investors trusts.
”Again, we want to project the image of Rivers State. This is the Rivers public Relation week, its about the people, it’s about the public, we want to everyone of us to ensure that we discuss around these issues and then we come up with solution that is acceptable to us.
”The time has come for our leaders both in Government and private sector to engage professional public Relation practice’s in managing and communicating through sensitive issues. The expertise of PR practitioners in stakeholder mapping, perception management, conflict resolution and narrative training can make a crucial difference in restoring confidence, bridging divides and shaping a more stable and progressive River State. ” he insisted.
Also speaking, the chairman of the event, His Masjesty Leslie Eke said the public deserves the right communication for right decision saying without that, there will be a breakdown in information flow between the public and governance.
” Let the narrative be something positive and truthful, and you will get the feedback of trust from them(Public) and in when necessary, you get the public supports.”
He advocated for a genuine and formidable link between the government and the governed.
