The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has called for significant investment in national integration through effective communication.
Shettima made the call in Abuja during the National Spokespersons’ Summit and Awards organised by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, with the theme: “Change Narratives, Change Society.”
He stressed that when spokespersons from across all platforms, sectors, and industries come together to share best practices, learn from one another, and forge new partnerships, the outcome can only be in the national interest.
“Every day, we become further convinced that we can never win the war against misinformation and disinformation unless our responses to them are timely and evidence-based.
“You do not need to be reminded that you are a pillar of the nation’s security framework. While your combat operations only require your pens and electronic communication devices, the threat you neutralize saves the lives of even our military and para-military operatives fighting a different type of war,” he said.
However, he added that as an expert, there’s not much he can ask, other than reminding practitioners to always listen and internalise feedback.
“You must engage with people of diverse perspectives, foster dialogues, and build consensus,” the VP said.
He stated that this is a small price to pay for aggregating the needs and expectations of this diverse nation.
“So, always leave a seat empty for any group to join your table, and don’t treat anyone as inconsequential because their views don’t align with yours,” Shettima said.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, emphasised that the summit was a pivotal event aimed at transforming the landscape of communication in Nigeria.
Idris stated that the theme of the summit resonates deeply with the challenges facing them as a people.
“In the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, we are on the verge of unveiling the Nigeria Values Charter, which embodies a social contract between the country and its citizens and will serve as a blueprint and policy for a national value system, defining us as Nigerians and reinforcing our personality as citizens.
“We must recognize the critical role that effective communication plays in shaping narratives, building trust, and fostering understanding.
“Whether we are seasoned PR professionals, budding communicators, or someone curious about the power of words, this summit provides a platform for growth, learning, networking, and collaboration,” he said.
He noted that the future of communication points towards technology, saying for technology to make a meaningful impact, it must be anchored on trust.
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