There is a special kind of energy that fills Abeokuta when the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations gathers, especially for an evening that promises as much warmth as it does purpose. The second edition of the Ogun State chapter’s Owanbe Nite, held under the theme “Ariya galore: Celebrating the spirit of oneness,” was more than a colourful social event. It was a meeting of minds, a family reunion of communication professionals, and a moment of reflection on the role they must play in shaping the nation’s future. Set against the rich cultural backdrop of Abeokuta, a city world-famous for its Adire heritage, the event drew together practitioners, leaders, traditional rulers, and public servants in an atmosphere of music, laughter, and shared resolve. The highlight of the evening, however, was not just the celebration, but a call to duty that reached beyond the hall. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, through his representative and Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, delivered a message that resonated deeply with everyone present. He urged members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to deploy their professional expertise in tackling misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech ahead of the 2027 general election. It was a reminder that public relations is not merely about polishing reputations or crafting clever slogans; it is about safeguarding the very fabric of democracy and national stability. The governor’s presence, even in proxy, signalled the importance he places on responsible communication as the country prepares for another critical electoral cycle.
The governor’s words were not a routine political greeting. They were a direct and heartfelt appeal to the conscience of those who shape public narratives. Abiodun emphasised that responsible political communication, peaceful participation, and issue-based campaigns were essential ingredients for a credible electoral process. He warned that communication capable of threatening national stability must be avoided at all costs, and he challenged public relations practitioners to use their platforms to promote tolerance and discourage inflammatory statements. This is no small task in an era where social media has amplified voices, both noble and destructive. Every day, false stories travel faster than the truth, and hate speech often masquerades as political opinion. The governor’s message acknowledged this reality and placed a burden on communicators to act as gatekeepers of truth. He particularly charged those practitioners working within the civil service to uphold professional ethics and bring their expertise to bear on effective public service delivery. This was a call for integrity, for courage, and for a renewed sense of patriotism. Behind his words was an understanding that elections are won and lost not just at the ballot box, but in the hearts and minds of citizens long before voting day. If the information space is poisoned, the entire electoral process suffers. But if communication is handled with wisdom, it can heal divides, build trust, and strengthen democratic institutions. The governor was essentially asking public relations professionals to be peacemakers and truth-bearers, because they occupy a unique position to shape the national conversation.
It would have been easy for the night to remain a purely social affair, but the leaders of the NIPR ensured that the occasion was also a moment of institutional reflection and recognition. The President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, who was represented by a council member, Mr. Segun McMedal, commended the Ogun State chapter for its remarkable contributions to the growth of the institute. He specifically praised the chapter for hosting the Nigeria Public Relations Week, a flagship event that has elevated the profile of the profession in the country. Neliaku described Owanbe Nite as an expression of the creativity and innovation expected from NIPR chapters, noting that it brought members together to celebrate culture and strengthen professional relationships. His words carried a sense of pride in how far the institute has come. In an age when many professional bodies struggle to keep their members engaged, the Ogun chapter has succeeded in creating a space where work and celebration meet. The choice of Abeokuta as a venue was particularly significant. Renowned for its Adire heritage, the city is a living museum of Nigerian artistry, and the vibrant patterns and colours of local attire worn by attendees served as a beautiful reminder of the diversity that unites the nation. Neliaku underscored that such cultural expression is not separate from professional life; rather, it enriches the bonds between practitioners and reaffirms the shared values that make collective progress possible. For the institute, the evening was a testament to the fact that public relations professionals can be both serious and joyful, both strategic and genuinely connected. The celebration was not an escape from duty, but a renewal of it, a way of reminding members that they belong to something larger than any single campaign or client.
The most urgent call of the evening came from the Chairman on the occasion, Mr. Israel Jaiye Opayemi, the Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Africa. His address was a powerful challenge, one that elevated the gathering from celebration to a summons. Opayemi told public relations practitioners to expose fake news and unmask those responsible for spreading misinformation ahead of the forthcoming general election, which he described as the most consequential in the country’s history. He did not mince words. “Let it be our general resolve that, even as we celebrate, we have one common resolve: to unmask fake news,” he declared. The statement hung in the air with a weight that could not be ignored. Opayemi’s words were a reminder that the tools of public relations are powerful. They can be used to build bridges or to blow them up. They can illuminate or obscure. He urged practitioners to take collective responsibility for safeguarding the nation’s information space and promoting credible communication. This is not a duty that can be delegated to journalists alone or to social media platforms. It is a shared obligation, and the profession must rise to meet it. His speech challenged the comfortable idea that public relations practitioners are neutral intermediaries. In truth, they are guardians of trust. When they choose to amplify wholesome narratives and reject harmful falsehoods, they help build a healthier democracy. But when they remain silent or look the other way, they become accomplices to chaos. Opayemi’s message was particularly meaningful because of his standing in the industry. As a veteran strategist, he has seen how communications can shape elections, and his warning carried the weight of experience. He was asking his colleagues not to be passive observers of the 2027 election season, but active defenders of truth.
If the president of the occasion set the tone, the chairman of the Ogun NIPR, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, filled in the details with a stirring call to action. She reminded her colleagues that public relations practitioners have a responsibility that goes far beyond reputation management. In a democracy, she argued, communication professionals must protect public trust, strengthen democratic institutions, and contribute to national stability. They must promote issue-based campaigns, counter misinformation and disinformation, and encourage constructive engagement among political actors and citizens. Her words were a blueprint for professional conduct in a challenging political climate. She spoke not as someone offering abstract theory, but as a practitioner deeply aware of the dangers lurking in an era of deep social divisions and viral falsehoods. Boye’s message was addressed to every communicator in the room, but it also resonated as a plea to the wider profession. She insisted that as the country approaches another election season, public relations practitioners must take a more active role in strengthening democracy through responsible communication. This means going beyond the press releases and media briefings. It means engaging with communities, listening to citizens, creating channels for dialogue, and correcting falsehoods with patience and evidence. It also means encouraging politicians to focus on issues that matter: jobs, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the dignity of ordinary people. When the conversation moves away from insults and identities, toward ideas and policies, democracy is healthier. Boye’s speech was grounded and practical, yet aspirational. She painted a picture of a profession that could rise to its highest purpose, not merely as image-makers, but as guardians of the common good. Her message was a call for courage, because truth-telling is often inconvenient. It draws opposition and resistance. But she made it clear that the alternative, allowing lies to fester and enemies of democracy to set the agenda, is far worse.
The evening also carried memory and gratitude, making it deeply human. The Towulade of Owu-Akinale Kingdom, Oba Oluseyi Adediran, took the stage with a moving tribute to the Ogun NIPR chapter. He recalled how the institute organised a befitting farewell programme in honour of his predecessor, the late Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, during his funeral rites about two years ago. It was a gesture of respect and compassion that the royal father had not forgotten. In a world where people so often forget kindness, his public acknowledgment was a powerful reminder of the good that professional bodies can do beyond their formal mandates. Oba Adediran promised to reciprocate the gesture by consistently supporting the chapter’s activities, and the audience responded with warm applause. That moment bridged the worlds of tradition and profession, reminding everyone that the NIPR is not just an abstract institution, but a community of people who show up for each other in times of joy and sorrow. As the night came to a close, one could not help but feel that something important had been planted in Abeokuta. The celebration had delivered joy, laughter, and Yoruba hospitality at its finest. But it had also delivered a renewed sense of purpose. From the governor’s call for responsible communication to the president’s commendation of creative leadership, and from Opayemi’s sharp challenge to Boye’s thoughtful blueprint, every speaker had pointed in the same direction: the Nigerian public relations profession must rise to the occasion. With the 2027 election on the horizon, the information space must not be left to rumour-mongers, peddlers of hate, and agents of confusion. The practitioners have both the skill and the duty to unmask fake news, to promote truth, and to defend the unity of the nation. The Owanbe Nite was more than a celebration. It was a covenant. And in the spirit of oneness, those present returned to their stations not just as professionals, but as patriots.