Eno charges NIPR to tell Nigeria’s positive stories

• Institute links woes to ineffective communication in leadership

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has charged the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to project the numerous positive transformations, accomplishments and rich resources of Nigeria and its sub-nationals to the outside world.
 
The governor gave the charge when he hosted the President and Chairman of the Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, and other council members of the institute to a luncheon at the Government House, Uyo.
 
“The NIPR generally is supposed to help our brand as a nation, and even at the sub-regional level. Help us build our brand; tell our stories in interesting ways that will encourage investors to come and invest in Nigeria,” he said.
 
The governor frowned at the negative perspective of breaking news in the country, urging the NIPR to change the narrative for good by focusing on development reportage.
 
“Unfortunately, in Nigeria, when you hear ‘breaking news,’ it’s always bad news. I think we can change that narrative, and make our ‘breaking news’ good news that people will look forward to,” he stated.
 
The governor said there was a need for leaders in the country to be encouraged or talked to politely; for them to be encouraged to do better, rather than being degraded or seeing them always irrespective of the volume of their good effort to make the nation better.
 
MEANWHILE, the NIPR has reiterated the need for effective communication in leadership, citing it as a major problem facing the country. The President and Chairman-in-Council of the institute, Dr Ike Neliaku, stated this during official opening ceremony of the Nigerian Public Relations Week 2025 in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. 
 
According to the NIPR President, effective communication is crucial for building a prosperous Nigeria. “Lack of effective communication is a major problem of leadership in Nigeria. We can build a prosperous Nigeria together if we work collaboratively,” He said.