AFRICA

Shettima To Public Relations Experts: Reinvent Nigeria’s Story With Truthful Narratives

Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged public relations professionals in the country to serve as guardians of truth and national integration through effective communication in the face of a growing threat by purveyors of disinformation.

Shettima, who spoke on Tuesday, in Abuja, when he declared open the maiden edition of National Spokespersons Summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, emphasised the critical role image-building and narrative construction play in maintaining social order.

The two-day summit with the theme, “Change Narrative, Change Society,” which had in attendance spokespersons from both public and private sectors seeks to address the challenges of communicating in an era of information overload.

The Vice President who was represented at the event by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, said, “Through your commitments and sacrifices, the voices of the misrepresented and the misunderstood are amplified, and the vision of a better tomorrow is brought to fruition.”

Shettima stressed the immense responsibility spokespersons hold as the voice of their “organisations or principals, representing their values, visions, missions, and aspirations to the public.”

Cautioning against the threat of misinformation, he stated: “You are not only the spokesperson, a gatekeeper of truth, but also a defender of the public at the mercy of fake news merchants and their impressionable mercenaries.

“We can never win the war against misinformation and disinformation unless our responses to them are timely and evidence-based,” he warned. “You are a pillar of the nation’s security framework.”

The Vice President lauded President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to citizen engagement, saying, “This is an invitation for you to partner with us in crafting the right narratives to change the Nigerian story and reinvent our society.”

Shettima, also urged spokespersons to be inclusive, saying, “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.”

He expressed hope that the summit would, “strengthen the enthusiasm of all spokespersons to bridge divides, inspire commitment, and induce actions that drive the change we desire.”

On his part, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, emphasised the pivotal role effective communication plays in shaping perceptions and fostering trust.

According to him: “Nigeria, a diversely blessed and vibrant country, grapples with the need to create a cohesive national identity; one that transcends ethnicity, religion, and political affiliations, crafting a compelling national narrative becomes paramount as we strive to live up to our vast potential.”

Idris noted that the future of communication is driven by technology but must be anchored in trust. “Trust remains a critical element in building relationships. As spokespersons, we need to make conscious efforts to build trust and restore hope wherever we are,” he said.

He revealed that this year, the Ministry was set to unveil the “Nigeria Values Charter”, embodying a social contract between the nation and its citizens to define shared values and reinforce national identity.

The Minister praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that they are “recording incremental successes across various facets of our economy.”

Deji Elumoye

Follow us on:

AriseNews

View Comments

  • price E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION Some Auction Vehicles/Cars For Sale
    Mama Africa #17,000 •Tomatoes Rice # *15,000* •Cap Rice #15,000 •My Food #17,000 •Mama Gold #17,500 •Ade Brazil #15,000 •Elephant Gold #15,000 •Royal Umbrella #15,000 Etc.
    Golf3= 400,000
    Camry Tinny-Light=500,000
    Tundra 1,300,000
    Toyota Exterra=850,000
    Toyota Camry big daddy=650,000
    Toyota Venza= 1.7million
    Toyota Avalon=850,000
    Camry spider 950,000
    Toyota Rav4=950,000
    Toyota Prado=1.3million
    Muscle 1mill
    TOYOTA HILUX=2million
    Toyota Sienna=850,000
    TOYOTA 4-RUNNER=950,000
    Toyota Corolla=650,000
    Toyota Matrix= 700,000
    Toyota Highlander=950,000
    Toyota Picnic=500,000
    Tacoma 1.850,000
    Toyota Hiace Bus=950,000
    Toyota Tundra=1.5million
    Toyota Sequola=900,000
    BMW 5-series=1.960,000
    BMW 3-series=1.640,000
    BMW X6=2.670,000
    Ford Edge=700,000
    Ford Escape=600,000
    Honda Elantra=600,000
    Honda Baby-Boy=700,000
    Dyna Truck 900k
    TIPPER Head 6mill

    Honda Accord=550,000
    Honda CRV=650,000
    HONDA CIVIC=500,000
    HONDA EVIL-SPIRIT=750,000
    HONDA ODYSSEY=500,000
    Honda Pilot=850,000
    Nissan pathfinder=800,000
    Nissan Amanda=750,000
    Infinity=950,000
    Benz C250=N1.300,000
    Benz C300=1.6MILLION
    Benz ML350=2 million
    Benz ML300=1.5 million
    Benz ML550=2.6million
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.3Million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.8Million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.Million
    Es330 1.6m
    Lexus C5 350=950,000
    IS250 1m
    Lexus Rx300=1.2 million
    Lexus Rx330=1.5 million
    Is350 2mill
    Gx470 1.8mill
    Lexus Rx350= 2 million
    ES350 2mill
    Land Rover Discovery ₦3.2Million
    Land Rover Freelander ₦3.6Million
    Land Range Rover Sport ₦4Million
    Range rover vogue 3.8m
    Acura MDX ₦1.8Million
    Pequot 206=350,000
    Pequot 406=470,000
    Pequot 607=650,000
    .....
    ((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111)

Recent Posts

Trump Alleges ‘Massive Cheating’ in Philadelphia And Detroit, Offers No Evidence

Trump claims "massive cheating" in Philadelphia and Detroit without evidence; officials call it disinformation, affirming…

44 mins ago

US Elections: Trump Wins West Virginia

Trump has won the State of West Virginia, putting him at 23 electoral votes

48 mins ago

US Elections: Kamala Harris Wins Vermont

Democratic candidate Kamala Harris won Vermont, securing 59.4% of the vote, while Republican Donald Trump…

50 mins ago

US Elections: Donald Trump Wins Kentucky, Indiana With 71%, 61% Of The Vote

Trump has won the States of Kentucky and Indiana, giving him 19 electoral votes

1 hour ago

Top World Leaders to Miss COP29 Climate Summit Amidst Political Turmoil, Domestic Priorities

Leaders from major economies, including the U.S., EU, and Brazil, plan to skip this year’s…

1 hour ago

Tinubu To Bayelsa Delegation: Infrastructural Development Will Spur Economic Prosperity

Tinubu has pledged to support infrastructural development, saying it will encourage Nigeria’s economic advancement

2 hours ago