By Abdullahi Inuwa
— NIPR Event Ends with Call for Integrity, Professionalism in Leadership Communication
The 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons’ Summit has wrapped up in grand style in Abuja, with Borno State taking center stage among the high-powered delegations that gathered to chart a new course for ethical leadership communication in Nigeria.
Organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the three-day summit drew top communication minds—including serving and former Ministers of Information, media strategists, corporate spokespersons, and PR doyens.
With the theme “Integrity and the Evolving Roles of Spokespersons in Leadership Communications,” the summit was flagged off by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajjudeen Abbas.
Borno State stood out with a strong and articulate delegation led by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar. Joining him were Governor Zulum’s Special Adviser on Media and Official Spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, and the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Baba Shiekh Haruna—all of whom brought the state’s communication efforts into sharp national focus.
A key moment of the summit was the Ministerial Clinic, featuring seasoned communication heavyweights including Alhaji Mohammed Idris and five of his predecessors: Professor Jerry Gana, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, Mr. Frank Nweke II, Hon. Labaran Maku, and Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The session delivered candid insights on navigating today’s complex media landscape.
In a landmark move, the summit witnessed the official launch of the Nigeria Spokespersons’ Charter and Practice Code, a professional guide designed to promote ethical standards and transparency in public communication.
Speaking on the sidelines, Professor Tar hailed the initiative as a game-changer. “The Summit couldn’t have come at a better time. In Borno, we’re constantly battling misinformation. This Code gives us the tools to counter falsehoods and tell our story accurately—especially as Governor Zulum’s administration drives forward with resettlement and recovery.”
As curtains fall on the summit, the message from Abuja is clear: integrity in communication is not optional—it’s essential. And with states like Borno leading by example, the future of public discourse in Nigeria looks promising.
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