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On an evening when Abeokuta’s air was filled with the unmistakable rhythm of celebration, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, gathered for the second edition of its much-anticipated Owanbe Nite. It was not merely a social event; it was a cultural statement, a night of music, laughter, colorful attire, and the warm feeling of professional kinship. Under the theme “Ariya Galore: Celebrating the Spirit of Oneness,” the hall welcomed communicators, civil servants, media professionals, and leaders from across the state. But beneath the festive atmosphere and the clinking of cups lay a message of extraordinary weight. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, through the Head of Service, Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, used the occasion to issue a powerful challenge to public relations practitioners across Nigeria. With the 2027 general elections approaching, he called on members of the Institute to deploy their professional expertise in tackling misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. It was a call that transformed an evening of entertainment into an urgent national conversation. The governor understood, as many do, that the battle for Nigeria’s democratic future will not be fought only at polling booths, but in the narratives, images, and half-truths that flood the airwaves and social media feeds. In that context, the public relations profession becomes more than a career; it becomes a critical instrument for protecting the integrity of the democratic process.
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Governor Abiodun, speaking through the Head of Service, painted a clear picture of what is at stake as Nigeria moves toward the next general elections. He stressed that responsible political communication, peaceful participation, and issue-based campaigns are not optional luxuries in a functioning democracy; they are fundamental requirements for a credible electoral process. He warned that unchecked communication can threaten national stability, and he urged public relations practitioners to use their platforms to promote tolerance, discourage inflammatory statements, and encourage constructive political engagement. “As we approach the forthcoming general elections, I urge NIPR to deploy its professional expertise in promoting responsible political communication, curbing misinformation and discouraging hate speech,” he said. These were not just formal words; they were a direct invitation for the Institute to step into the center of Nigeria’s political journey. The governor was effectively saying that public relations cannot afford to be a silent observer or a tool for spin-masters. It must actively defend truth and serve the public interest. His statement also acknowledged the enormous power that communicators hold. In a country where social media has turned falsehood into a weapon, where rumors travel faster than facts, and where dangerous rhetoric can inflame ethnic and religious tensions, the role of the trained communicator has never been more important. The audience in Abeokuta was not a passive one; it was filled with men and women who shape messages for government, businesses, and civil society. By speaking directly to them, Abiodun was placing responsibility where it belongs—on the shoulders of those who understand how information works.
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The governor’s message went beyond elections to address the deeper responsibilities of public relations practitioners, especially those working in the civil service. He charged members of the Institute, particularly those in public service, to uphold professional ethics and bring their expertise to bear on effective service delivery. This was an important reminder that public relations is not just about press releases or media appearances; it is about building trust between institutions and the people they serve. In many parts of Nigeria, citizens have grown cynical about government communication, seeing it as a tool of propaganda rather than transparency. Abiodun’s challenge was an attempt to change that perception. He wanted civil servants who are also public relations professionals to act as ethical gatekeepers, ensuring that official messages are truthful, clear, and helpful. He also spoke about the theme of the event, noting that it underscored the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence. For him, cultural heritage is a veritable tool for promoting social cohesion. The evening was not just a celebration of the profession; it was a celebration of Nigerian identity, a reminder that in all our diversity, there is a shared spirit of togetherness that can carry the nation through difficult moments. In a country often divided by region, religion, and politics, the simple act of coming together to enjoy music and culture becomes a political statement in itself. The governor’s words reminded everyone present that democracy is not only about the ballot; it is also about the bonds of community that make democratic life possible.
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The President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku, also addressed the gathering, and his remarks carried a message of appreciation and hope. Represented by a Council member, Segun McMedal, Neliaku commended the Ogun State Chapter for its contributions to the growth of the Institute, particularly its hosting of the Nigeria Public Relations Week. He recognized that the Owanbe Nite was not merely an entertainment vehicle but an expression of the creativity and innovation expected from NIPR chapters. In his view, the event brought members together in an atmosphere that allowed them to celebrate culture, reconnect as colleagues, and strengthen professional relationships. Neliaku’s words were significant because they highlighted the importance of humanity in professional life. For too long, professional associations have been seen as rigid groups where people only exchange business cards and attend mandatory meetings. The Owanbe Nite challenged that image. It showed that public relations practitioners are not just experts in communication; they are cultural beings with traditions, music, and joy. It also demonstrated that a professional body can be both serious and warm, both ambitious and grounded. Neliaku’s praise of the Ogun chapter sent a signal to other chapters that innovation is welcomed, that cultural pride is an asset, and that building strong professional relationships is just as important as building resumes. The evening, in that sense, was a model for what a modern professional association can be: a community of practice that never loses sight of the people behind the profession.
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The Chairman of the occasion, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Africa, issued a particularly stirring challenge to the assembled practitioners. He urged public relations professionals to expose fake news and unmask those responsible for spreading misinformation ahead of the forthcoming general elections, which he described as the most consequential in the country’s history. Opayemi’s words were direct, almost confrontational, and they pierced the festive mood with a sense of urgency. He reminded the audience that misinformation is not a harmless game or a mere social media nuisance. It is a weapon that can destabilize communities, scorch trust in institutions, and even alter the outcome of an election. His call to “unmask” the spreaders of misinformation challenged practitioners to go beyond passive fact-checking. It was a call for proactive investigation, for taking seriously the responsibility to trace falsehoods to their sources and hold them accountable. This is not an easy assignment. It requires courage, especially when the purveyors of disinformation are powerful or politically connected. But Opayemi’s insistence reflected a broader truth: the public relations profession in Nigeria has come of age, and it can no longer hide behind the excuse that it merely helps clients tell their stories. In a fragile democracy, the practitioner’s first loyalty must be to the truth. His speech transformed Owanbe Nite from a celebration into a summons, reminding every communicator in the room that the countdown to 2027 has already begun and the battle for credible information is already being fought.
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The evening ended, as it had begun, with music, dance, laughter, and the warm embrace of community. But those who left the hall carried more than good memories. They left with a burden—the urgent, unavoidable responsibility to defend truth in a time of noisy falsehood. The messages from Governor Abiodun, Dr Neliaku, and Israel Jaiye Opayemi all pointed in the same direction: Nigeria’s future depends on the integrity of its communication. As the 2027 general elections approach, every public relations practitioner has a role to play. They can either be passive observers while rumors and hate speeches tear the nation apart, or they can be active guardians of the public good. The theme of the event, “Ariya Galore: Celebrating the Spirit of Oneness,” is not just a slogan. It is a vision of a Nigeria where joy is more powerful than division, where culture unites rather than separates, and where truth is more respected than falsehood. If every member of the NIPR who attended that night in Abeokuta takes the message to heart, the profession will not only have restored its own dignity; it will have helped to save a nation. The road to 2027 will not be easy, but with professionals who are ethical, courageous, and committed, there is hope. The spirit of oneness is not only for celebration; it is for the hard work of building a just and peaceful society. And as the music faded and the hall emptied, one could not help but feel that something important had begun—not just a countdown to an election, but a movement of communicators determined to make truth the loudest voice in Nigeria.