Date: 17 July, 2026
By Abraham Ovuoba
The Ebonyi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has marked the 2026 World Public Relations Day with a call for the adoption of strategic communication, ethical practice and professionalism as critical tools for building trust, promoting peace and advancing sustainable development.
The event which held on Thursday at Eagle Royal Hotel, Abakaliki, drew public relations professionals, government officials and academics. It was themed, “The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations,” with participants examining the increasing relevance of strategic communication in governance, security and institutional management.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the NIPR Ebonyi State Chapter, Dr. Agatha Orji-Egwu, described public relations as an indispensable management function. She said the annual celebration highlights the profession’s strategic value and its role in helping organisations achieve their goals.
She urged public and private institutions to give public relations the priority it deserves by engaging qualified professionals in policy formulation, stakeholder engagement and reputation management. According to her, no organisation can thrive without effective communication and professional public relations practice.
The NIPR chairman also warned against the activities of quacks in the profession, saying the institute would continue to identify and sanction unqualified practitioners. She assured members that the Ebonyi chapter would sustain efforts aimed at promoting professional standards and projecting the state’s positive image.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled, “The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations: Governing Reputation, Stewarding Trust, Leading Institutional Legitimacy,” Prof. Chike Emmanuel Onwe said strategic public relations has become indispensable in addressing contemporary challenges and strengthening trust between governments, institutions and the people.
Chairman of the Planning Committee and Ebonyi State Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Celestine Chinemere Ukeoma, stressed that strategic communication is vital to effective security management, saying timely and accurate information combats misinformation, manages crises and builds public trust.
Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Vincent Dike, described public relations as a tool for building trust and public confidence, urging practitioners to promote narratives that strengthen national unity.
Also, Assistant Secretary of NIPR Ebonyi and Head of Mass Communication, Ebonyi State University, Dr. Simon Nwankwo said strategic public relations promotes peace and conflict resolution, but regretted that many organisations still fail to recognise practitioners as strategic management professionals.
The event ended with Awards of Honour presented to distinguished individuals, including Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chinedu Onah, Prof. Chike Emmanuel Onwe, Dr. Celestine Chinemere Ukeoma and Sunday Nwambam, for their contributions to the growth of NIPR and the profession in Ebonyi State.
