FG Champions Media Literacy as Spokespersons Summit Begins
The Federal Government has reiterated the urgent need for enhanced media literacy among Nigerians as a critical tool in combating the rising wave of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation threatening national cohesion.
Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, emphasized the imperative of equipping citizens with the ability to access, analyze, and discern accurate information from falsehoods in today’s fast-paced digital age.
At the event themed, “Integrity and the Evolving Role of Spokespersons in Leadership Communication”, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, unveiled the Nigeria Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code (SCPC).
“Media and information literacy is not just a necessity—it is an urgent national imperative,” the Minister said. “It is the surest way to arm our citizens against the cankerworm of fake news, which has the potential to tear our nation apart.”
Idris commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for organizing the Summit in collaboration with the Ministry, describing it as a timely platform for critical reflection on the role of spokespersons in fostering credible leadership communication.
He noted that the government, through various reforms, is working to restore trust in public communication and reorient the mindset of the people.
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One of such reforms, he revealed, is the recognition of Public Relations as a standalone cadre within the federal civil service—a move he described as long overdue and essential in professionalizing government communication.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ike Neliaku, the President and Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), underscored the urgent need for integrity and professionalism in the practice of public communication, especially in a time when trust in public institutions is waning.
He emphasized that the role of spokespersons in leadership communication is evolving, requiring a new level of strategic thinking, ethical grounding, and national consciousness.
Neliaku described the theme of the summit as not only timely but critical to Nigeria’s democratic and developmental journey.
He noted that in today’s information-driven society, the spokesperson must rise above partisan rhetoric to become a voice of clarity, truth, and national cohesion.
He further explained that integrity must form the bedrock of leadership communication, adding that the credibility of spokespersons directly affects public trust in governance and institutions.
According to him, spokespersons are no longer just conveyors of official statements but have become strategic actors in nation-building, conflict management, and policy interpretation.
Dr. Neliaku commended the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation for its continued partnership with NIPR, especially in institutionalizing platforms such as the spokespersons summit.
He called on all participants—government communicators, media practitioners, and public relations professionals—to use the summit as an opportunity to renew their commitment to ethical standards, professionalism, and national service.
