Barring last minute changes, Nigeria will host the world public relations forum in September this year.

President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku disclosed this in a goodwill message at the 2026 World Public Relations Day which took place at the Ignatius Ajuru university of Education, Port Harcourt

The theme for this year’s World Public Relations Day was “Golden Age; Driving Impact of Strategic Public Relations”.

The president, who was represented by a member of the Governing Council of the Institute, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said over 3,000 delegates from over 128 countries are expected at the event scheduled to hold in Abuja this September.

Meanwhile, PR experts have called for policies that will ensure the inclusion of public relations practitioners in all decision making bodies in the society.

They said this at the just concluded world Public Relations Day in Port Harcourt.

According to them, public relations has evolved beyond mere media relations, as it has become a necessary ingredients for community development

Speaking on this, President of the Institute, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said public relations has evolved  into a high value strategic function at the highest level of decision making in the society.

“Public Relations practitioners are now board room strategists, reputation architects and custodians of institutional credibility, shaping decisions at the highest levels of governance and leadership,” he said.

He urged practitioners to lead with insight, counsel with integrity and build trust based relationship that define strategic influence.

?Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the NIPR, Rev. Francis Asuk, described the theme for the celebration as both timely and profound as it recognises the critical role of strategic communications in addressing the complex , social, economic, political and developmental challenges of our time.

Asuk said the celebration is a reminder that public relations has evolved to become a strategic management function that build trust, shape perception, strengthen institutions and foster sustainable relationship between organisation and their stakeholders.

The NIPR chairman, however, lamented the influx of quacks into the practice, warning that something must be done about it.

?He emphasized that only licensed professionals can effectively communicate and market government policies and organisational programmes to achieve set targets.

? “We have observed that people who are not professionals, who are not chartered, who are not members, are secretly entering  into the profession and creating confusion, creating all the wrong perceptions that sometimes come.

“If you are not a registered member of NIPR, you do not have the license to practice. And therefore, we encourage all those who want to be communication professionals,  to properly register with the NIPR. The NIPR has made it possible and has created a robust platform to encourage all who are qualified to come in and practice and be trained”.

?Azuk noted that the theme of the the 2026 World PR Day, “The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations,”  recognises the critical role of strategic communications in addressing the complex social, economic, political, and developmental challenges of the the present time.

?”It also reminds us that public relations has evolved beyond publicity to become a strategic management function that builds trust, shapes perception, strengthens institutions, and fosters sustainable relationships between organisations and their stakeholders,” he added.

?He noted that for a developing economy such as Nigeria, strategic public relations is indispensable, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved without effective communication that encourages transparency, builds public confidence, promotes citizen engagement, and inspires active service.

By: John Bibor

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, over the passing of his mother, Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, who died at the age of 89.

Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, last Friday, expressed heartfelt condolences to Amaechi and family, the Catholic Church and the government and people of Rivers State over the loss of the deceased.

He acknowledged the deceased’s commitment to the Catholic faith, her exemplary devotion to family values, and her dedication to raising her children.

The President also noted that the late matriarch’s life reflected the virtues of love, sacrifice, kindness, and perseverance, qualities that endeared her to all who came in contact with her.

He urged the bereaved family to take solace in the remarkable legacy of faith, dignity, and service that Dame Amaechi bequeathed to her children, the Church, and society.

“My heartfelt condolences to  Rt. Hon. Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, the Catholic faithful, and the government and people of Rivers State over the loss of Dame Ezinne Amaechi, a champion of faith whose life was marked by humility and selfless service to humanity.

“May Almighty God grant her soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her passing at this difficult time”, the President said.

In his own condolence message, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, expressed deep sympathy with Amaechi, describing the death of his mother as an irreparable loss not only to the immediate family, but to the Catholic congregation, the entire Ubima community and Rivers State.

In a condolence message issued on behalf of the government and people of Rivers State, Fubara noted that the loss of a mother is a deeply painful experience, and urged the family to take solace in the good life the deceased lived and the legacies she left behind.

He acknowledged the vital role the deceased “played in shaping the character and values of her family and the community at large.”

He prayed God Almighty to comfort the entire family at this difficult period and grant the soul of the departed matriarch a peaceful rest.

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, has urged officers of tertiary institutions in the state to continue to uphold the principles of educational development for societal growth.

The SSG noted this during a courtesy visit by the Rector and principal officers of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt, last Friday.

The SSG, according to a statement by the Head of the Media in his office, Juliana Masi, noted that education is a catalyst for development.

“I believe this institution will continue to grow and become a central place of learning and development,” he said.

Also speaking, the Rector, Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses Neebee, said the projects initiated by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration are ready for commissioning.

He said the polytechnic was accredited by the National Board of Technical Education and the Federal Ministry of Education, and is therefore ready for greater impact in the educational sector.

The Rector thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for timely execution of projects and welfare of staff in the institution, and appealed to the State Government for further support.

“We thank His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for fulfilling his promise in the polytechnic by ensuring the execution of projects and the welfare of staff”, he said.