Public Relations Remain Effective Tool In Governance, Legislative Engagements
Public relations have been emphasized as being a critical tool required in all levels of governance to ensure effective participation of the citizenry in the policies of government.
The assertion was made by the Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, representative of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and Leader of Akwa Ibom Caucus in the National Assembly at the 2021 Annual General meeting/Dinner of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Akwa Ibom State Chapter held at Duelaz Landmark event centre, Uyo on Friday.
Senator Albert, who served as chairman of the event, noted that it is acceptable to say that the philosophy and practice of public relations create a social equilibrium in human climate.
Albert, who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Upstream Petroleum Resources, equally noted that the confluence of public relations, publicity, lobby and other forms of persuasive rhetoric, play significant roles in creating mutual understanding, better collaboration and peaceful co-existence among public organisations, communities and the society at large of which Nigeria is in dire need of.
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Senator OBA as he is fondly called, who was represented by a media guru, Chief Okon Osung, stressed that the theme of the AGM, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Unity: the public relations approach,” is very apt coming at a time that Nigeria is facing critical challenges of unity and deteriorating issues of insecurity, adding that the art of public relations as a profession should be harnessed in resolving the trials.
He charged public relations practitioners to up their games, think outside the box and engage in what he termed ‘activism’ by initiating strategies for crisis management, community relations and corporate social responsibility among others to solve the country’s endemic challenges.
He added that any keen observer will so easily identify Nigeria’s problem as arising from acute communication gab of misinformation, disinformation or total lack of information between government policy makers and the various national ethnic constituencies which has resulted in the rebirth of ethnic nationalism which is ravaging and spreading like wild fire across the country.
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The Annual General meeting/Dinner of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations also featured presentation of awards to some fellows and associate members of the institute.
