Public Relations crucial for effective governance, expert affirms at NIPR Clinic

The Head of the Mass Communication Department at Delta State University, Abraka, Dr. Harvey Igben emphasized the critical role of Public Relations (PR) in nurturing good governance during his address at the monthly meeting of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) PR Clinic Session in Effurun on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

Delving into the theme “Public Relations for Good Governance,” Dr. Igben highlighted PR’s significance in fortifying efficient leadership. He elucidated PR as a strategic communication process aimed at fostering mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their stakeholders.

Characteristics of good governance, according to Dr. Igben, encompass accountability, transparency, adherence to the rule of law, fair electoral practices, cultural diversity, and protection of human rights, asserting that these are fundamental to a functional governmental system.

Furthermore, Dr. Igben stressed the instrumental role of PR professionals in shaping public opinion, nurturing positive perceptions, influencing policy formulation, and cultivating a favorable societal image for the government.

He emphasized that PR practitioners bear the responsibility of instilling public confidence, enhancing public awareness, fostering sustainable democracy, maintaining the government’s public image, fostering responsiveness, and promoting constructive engagement.

However, amidst the discourse on the importance of PR in governance, the guest speaker lamented the impediments posed by issues such as corruption, conflicts, insecurity, unemployment, poverty, economic challenges, and unethical behavior, which pose significant challenges to effective governance.

In a complementary address, Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, the State Chairman of NIPR, echoed Dr. Igben’s sentiments, asserting that PR stands as a cornerstone of public functions, indispensable for any nation’s governance. He warned of the perils of governance without effective PR, suggesting that such oversight could lead to the downfall of leaders.

The event served as a forum for discourse on the critical nexus between PR and governance, underlining the imperative for leveraging strategic communication to foster transparent, accountable, and responsive governance in contemporary society.