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By Sola Rotimi
The Kwara State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has held a roadshow across major streets in Ilorin to sensitise the public and build momentum for the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum (WPRF Abuja 2026).
The awareness walk, held on Saturday, commenced at 8:00 a.m. opposite the Government House, Ilorin, and passed through major commercial areas, including Challenge and Post Office, before terminating at the NIPR Kwara State Secretariat along Offa Road, GRA, Ilorin.
Members of the institute, communication professionals and public relations practitioners participated in the exercise, carrying banners and promotional materials while engaging members of the public on the significance of Nigeria hosting the global event.
The roadshow forms part of a nationwide awareness campaign by NIPR state chapters to mobilise support and encourage participation from the public and private sectors as Nigeria prepares to host communication professionals and other delegates from around the world in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, Fellow of the NIPR and Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, who represented Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq at the event, described Nigeria’s hosting of the forum as a landmark opportunity to reshape the country’s image before the international community.
Alhaji Salahu said the event would provide an opportunity for international media professionals and opinion-shapers from different countries to experience Nigeria’s cultural heritage, democratic governance and economic potential firsthand.
“For the first time in our history, those who shape world opinion and project positive global perspectives from around 126 countries are coming to Nigeria. For a long time, the world press has reported Nigeria differently, but this event brings the global media directly to our doorstep.”
He said the forum would also provide an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s unity, cultural wealth, democratic institutions and economic prospects.
“It gives us a unique opportunity to demonstrate our peace, our culture, our functioning democracy, and our economic stability. We will be showing the world the true potentials of Nigeria and why it remains a beacon of hope for the Black race globally,” he added.
Also speaking, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, said the state would participate actively in the forum.
“Kwara is happy to be part of that delegation. We are going to be representing strongly from our state because we are in a state that believes so much in public communication, so much in public relations, putting a public perception of the state government activities out there.”
Meanwhile, the immediate past Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Kwara State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Offa/Oyun/Irepodun Federal Constituency, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, described the forthcoming forum as an important platform for addressing emerging challenges in the communications industry.
Mallam Ajakaye, who spoke on the theme of the forum, “Responsible Communication,” stressed the need for communication professionals and the wider public to understand the difference between communicating and communicating responsibly.
“As human beings, we cannot do without communicating, but there is a world of difference between communicating and communicating responsibly. That is the theme of this forum, and that tells you the importance of the event.”
He said the Kwara State NIPR chapter was prepared to participate in the forum and expressed the expectation that participants would return with new knowledge and skills that could be applied in their respective organisations.
Mallam Ajakaye noted that the forum would be the first World Public Relations Forum to be hosted in West Africa, with Nigeria serving as host.
He urged government agencies, corporate organisations, media practitioners and communication professionals to participate in the event, particularly in view of emerging challenges such as misinformation, deepfakes and artificial intelligence.
“It is very, very critical for our future, particularly in this age of fake news, deep fakes, artificial intelligence, and what have you. This is the time for everybody to get acquainted with the right skills of communication.”
The World Public Relations Forum is scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, and is expected to bring together public relations professionals, media practitioners, communication experts and other stakeholders from across the world.
