Worried by the impact of fake news on the society, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has charged Spokespersons to always rise to the occasion by immediately accurate response.
Delaying, she said, will make the lie become the truth.
She spoke at the annual National Spokesperson Summit convened by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
The event themed "Change Narratives, Change Society", brought together 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, Dabiri-Erewa, said 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, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, according to a statement by Gabriel Odu, of the NIDCOM Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, urged for swift responses to combat the proliferation of fake news
"The lie has suddenly become the truth." She emphasized the need for spokespersons to "counter false information with accurate responses, thereby safeguarding the integrity of public discourse.*
The NiDCOM Boss 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.
He emphasized that a functional PR framework is indispensable for shaping the narrative that guides Nigeria's trajectory.
Echoing this sentiment, Alh. Mohammed Idris, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation and Chief Host of the Summit, harped on the imperative of transforming Nigeria's landscape through effective communication.
He emphasized the need for national cohesiveness and underscored the importance of stability and growth, which can only be achieved through transparent and timely communication.
Alh. Mohammed Idris said, "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.
Prof. Tonnie Eredia, Keynote Speaker, 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.