Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has expressed confidence that Nigeria's hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) will significantly elevate the standards of Public Relations practice in the country. According to Otu, the event, scheduled to take place in Abuja, will provide a platform for Nigerian practitioners to learn from their global counterparts and gain insights into new strategies and best practices. The forum, themed "Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World," is expected to attract a large gathering of PR professionals from around the world.
Otu, represented by Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, made this statement during an awareness road walk organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Cross River State Chapter. The governor described Nigeria's hosting of the WPRF as a major milestone, emphasizing that it will expose local practitioners to international standards and workable insights. He also announced a donation of N1 million to support the walk and assured full participation of the State Government in the forum.
The State Chairman of NIPR, Pastor Augustine Mboso, explained that the road walk was aimed at promoting the future of communication, public trust, and responsible citizenship. Mboso stressed that effective communication goes beyond the exchange of information, as it shapes opinions, influences relationships, builds trust, and can shape the destiny of societies. He also highlighted the importance of responsible communication in the age of social media, artificial intelligence, and misinformation.
Mboso warned that the increasing trend of social media and misinformation has made it imperative for PR practitioners to promote truth, professionalism, empathy, and accountability. He emphasized that credibility remains the greatest currency of the profession and charged practitioners to be voices of clarity in confusion, reason in tension, and responsibility in the noisy world. The WPRF 2026 is particularly significant as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Cross River State Chapter organized the awareness road walk to create awareness and generate interest in the upcoming WPRF. The event was attended by PR practitioners, students, and other stakeholders. Participants were encouraged to take part in the forum and contribute to the discourse on responsible communication.
Governor Otu's administration has expressed commitment to supporting the NIPR and the WPRF, recognizing the importance of the event in promoting best practices in PR. The governor's donation and assurance of full participation are seen as a testament to the state's dedication to the development of the PR profession.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum is expected to provide a platform for PR practitioners to share ideas, network, and learn from experts in the field. With Nigeria hosting the event, local practitioners are expected to benefit from the gathering and contribute to the growth of the profession in the country.
Key points
- Nigeria's hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum will expose local practitioners to global strategies and best practices in PR.
- The event, themed "Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World," aims to promote truth, professionalism, empathy, and accountability in communication.
- The forum is expected to attract a large gathering of PR professionals from around the world and provide a platform for networking and knowledge sharing.
