Effective communication key to building public trust in democracy – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasised the importance of effective communication in building public trust in democracy.

He made this call at the 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons’ Summit, highlighting the need for honest, clear, and inclusive communication to counter misinformation and foster transparency.

Tajudeen stressed that integrity in communication is crucial for a thriving democracy, enabling citizens to make informed decisions and hold leaders accountable. He noted that the role of spokespersons has evolved, requiring them to be custodians of public trust.

“Integrity in communication is the cornerstone of a thriving democracy,” Tajudeen said. “Democracy is not merely government of the people, by the people, or for the people; democracy, for me, is about government WITH the people.”

He further emphasised the importance of inclusivity, saying, “Every member of society—young or old, urban or rural—must feel included in our national conversations.”

Tajudeen also highlighted the House’s initiatives to engage citizens, including the State of the House forum and Youth Townhalls.

“We can work together to launch public orientation campaigns that explain how policies are created and showcase the important role of parliament,” he added.

The Speaker emphasised the potential for collaboration between the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the National Assembly to promote transparency and accountability.

Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called for enhanced media literacy in Nigeria.

According to the Minister, media literacy equips individuals with the skills to analyse and evaluate messages conveyed through various media channels, enabling them to make informed decisions.

The Minister highlighted the negative impact of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation on public officers and the general public, stressing that media literacy is crucial in combating these issues.

“To address this challenge, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in collaboration with UNESCO, is establishing the Media Information Literacy (MIL) Institute in Abuja. This institute will be the first of its kind globally and aims to promote media literacy practices.”

“The ministry has also taken steps to enhance the professional practice of public relations in Nigeria. The caderisation of Public Relations as a standalone cadre in the Federal Civil Service was successfully implemented in December 2023.”

“This development is expected to improve the quality of engagement in public communication.”

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“Furthermore, one of the ministry’s primary objectives is to restore public trust in government communications, which aligns with the goals of media and information literacy.”

“By promoting transparency and accountability, the ministry aims to rebuild trust between the government and citizens.”

Idris praised the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for its efforts in promoting professional public relations practices in Nigeria.

He commended the leadership of Dr Ike Neliaku, President of NIPR, for driving innovation and ambition within the Institute.

The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to free speech and responsible creative expression, highlighting efforts to broaden Nigeria’s media ecosystem and grow economic opportunities within it. “With this initiative, the government aims to create a more informed and engaged citizenry.” he added.

In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) welcomed participants, emphasising the significance of the summit in promoting professional public relations practices.

Dr Neliaku said, “To say that I am pleased to welcome you will be an understatement. I am really pleased, excited, and delighted to welcome all of you, gathered from different parts of the nation to be part of history.”

The summit will confer Fellowship of the Institute on outstanding Nigerians, recognising their contributions to the field of communication.

“This year’s awardees include the Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, who has effectively deployed public relations skills in discharging his duties.”

“The Speaker of the House of Representatives will present the Nigeria Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code, which aims to provide professional support and ethical guidance for spokespersons in Nigeria.”

“This initiative underscores the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in public communication.”

“A Public Communication Clinic will feature former Ministers of Information sharing their experiences and insights on navigating challenging circumstances in public communication.”

Dr Neliaku highlighted the importance of integrity and reputation in public relations, citing Prof Jerry Gana’s words: “Reputation is a core asset, and integrity a door opener.”

“NIPR, in partnership with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and other stakeholders, is establishing a University of Public Relations and Leadership.”

“Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has donated 100 hectares of land for the project, which is expected to commence operations in 2026.”

“Nigeria has won the bid to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, providing a unique opportunity for the nation to retell its story on a global platform.”

Dr Neliaku expressed gratitude to the Governors of Jigawa and Nasarawa States for partnering with NIPR on special projects, including the REBIRTH Nigeria initiative and the University of Public Relations and Leadership. He also thanked media partners for their live coverage of the summit.

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