REPORTER’S DIARY: A Young Rapporteur’s Experience at NIPR’s Spokespersons Summit

REPORTER’S DIARY: A Young Rapporteur’s Experience at NIPR’s Spokespersons Summit
By Haroon Aremu

My journey as a young rapporteur at the maiden National Spokespersons Summit held on March 26-27, 2024, was more than just an assignment; it was a transformative experience that broadened my understanding of how communication influences societal impact.

As a fresh mass communication graduate, the opportunity and privilege to be featured at such a prestigious event organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, was enormous.

I was assigned to work with Abdulsalam Mahmud, the Deputy Editor of Image Merchant Promotions Limited, the publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokesperson’Digest.

Apart from Mahmud, the Lead Rapporteur, I served with two other senior colleagues from the same PR firm where I am a youth corps member. Our task was to monitor and report on all the sessions at the event.

Since this was my first time in this role, it exposed my capabilities beyond the walls of my academic training. Alongside my senior colleagues, we painstakingly documented each guest’s speech, ensuring accuracy.

I won’t forget to commend my fellow corps members from the same organization, Al-Janat Fridous Mohammed and Aishat M. Abisola, for their invaluable support throughout this process. Our team was provided with writing materials and recording gadgets to ensure we didn’t miss a single undocumented moment.

As distinguished guests began to grace the stage, delivering speeches that ranged from insightful to provocative, I found myself engrossed in a whirlwind of ideas and perspectives.

The presence of notable personalities like the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shetima, who was represented, Mr. Stanley Nkowocha (his media aide), and the Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, added more value to the event and underscored the gravity of our responsibilities as rapporteurs. The two-day event, themed “Change Narratives, Change Society,” aimed to enhance spokespersons’ capabilities across sectors.

The special guest of honor, the Vice President’s representative, and the chief host, the Information Minister, emphasized the role of effective communication in shaping national discourse.

The program was further enriched by inspiring goodwill messages from distinguished personalities such as Senator Osita Izunaso (Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets), Honourable Mohammed Inuwa Bassi (Chairman of the Nigerian-Australian Friendship Group from the Green Chambers) and Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, among others.

Supervised by the lead rapporteur, I meticulously transcribed every word, ensuring accuracy and paying close attention to every detail discussed at the summit. Yet, amidst the flurry of activity, it was the spirit of camaraderie with my colleagues that made the experience truly memorable.

Together, we navigated the depths of information, offering support, guidance, and the occasional moment of levity amidst the seriousness of our task.

As the summit progressed, invited speakers explored various topics, ranging from combating disinformation to the art of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Each session offered a window of insightful detail about communication, while the emphasis on effective communication was discussed as a catalyst for social change.

We were also tasked with drafting and crafting a comprehensive communique on the summit. We then engaged in several hours of brainstorming, debate, and revision of each word and phrase.

My experience as a young rapporteur at the Spokespersons Summit was a journey of discovery, growth, and teamwork. It reflected the importance of teamwork and mentorship in achieving remarkable outcomes.

This milestone, as a young graduate, underscores the importance of seizing opportunities for growth and learning.

The event culminated in the prestigious Spokespersons Award and dinner. The awards celebrated the invaluable contributions of spokespersons in both the private and public sectors, inspiring a commitment to excellence for a better Nigeria.

Haroon Aremu is a corp member with PRNigeria center Abuja and wrote via [email protected].