Fake News Sells, Only Spokespersons Can Safeguard Facts – Dabiri Erewa
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said Public Relations is the greatest profession in the world, and the cornerstone of societal interaction as she calls on practitioners to safeguard the integrity of public discourse in addressing the proliferation of fake news in the land.
Erewa made this remark in her goodwill message as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) convened its annual National Spokesperson Summit under the theme “Change Narratives, Change Society”.
According to a press statement signed by Gabriel Odu, of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NIDCOM, the event 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.
Dabiri Erewa thus asserted that Journalism / public relations stands as one of the greatest professions in the world while reflecting on the summit’s theme.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged for
swift responses to combat the proliferation of fake news, noting, “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
The 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, Alh. Mohammed Idris, Honorable Minister of
Information and National Orientation and Chief Host of the Summit,
emphasized the imperative of transforming Nigeria’s landscape through effective communication.
He emphasized the need for a national
cohesiveness and underscored the importance of stability and growth,
which can only be achieved through transparent and timely communication.
Alh. Mohammed Idris emphasized the summit’s comprehensive approach, stating, “The summit extends beyond networking and growth; it entails
collaborating with other PR spokespersons to realize the theme’s objective.”
His emphasis echoed the Institute’s overarching goal: to restore trust in public relations by prioritizing timely, honest, and transparent communication.
Prof. Tonnie Eredia, Keynote Speaker, stated that a Spokesperson must be a communicator who communicates honestly, and transparently and must espouse 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.
