UNILAG Student Wins NECCI Essay as Minister Urges PR to Uphold Ethical Governance
The 25th NECCI Public Relations Roundtable, themed “The Ethics of Governance: Shaping Reputation through Public Relations,” concluded in Lagos with the Federal Government highlighting the critical role of communicators in strengthening national credibility. The event also featured the award of a ₦250,000 prize to Daniel Nnam of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for winning the maiden NECCI PR essay competition.
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Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris Malagi, represented by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, emphasized that ethics, transparency, and truth are the essential ingredients for effective public communication.
PR Must Be the Architect of Ethical Leadership
The Minister praised Nigeria’s PR industry for its ethical standards and urged communicators to align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by becoming ambassadors of integrity and nation-building. He warned that without ethical conduct, Nigeria’s reputation—both locally and globally—remains vulnerable.
Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Convener of the NECCI PR Roundtable, stated that as Nigeria grapples with complex challenges, the forum is championing the push for PR professionals to move beyond mere image-making and become the architects of ethical leadership and sustainable progress.
“This silver jubilee edition is not just a celebration of longevity, but a reaffirmation of the organisation’s commitment to fostering ethical governance and strengthening Nigeria’s reputation in the global space,” Ali-Balogun said.
Essay Competition Highlights Young Talent
The event celebrated its 25th anniversary by recognizing emerging talent. The winners of the inaugural NECCI PR essay competition were honored for their work on the conference’s theme.
Winner: Daniel Nnam (University of Lagos, Akoka), who received ₦250,000.
First Runner-up: Baba-Enoch Temitope (Covenant University, Ota), who received ₦150,000.
Second Runner-up: Tomiwa Oyegunle (Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye), who received ₦100,000.
Broadcaster Rufai Oseni, speaking in a panel discussion, called for the infusion of scenario planning into public relations curricula to better prepare practitioners for real-life crises, stressing that truth must remain the cornerstone of the profession.
The roundtable featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including John Momoh, Chairman of Channels TV; Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM; and Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Executive Head of Regional Marketing and Communication at Standard Bank Group.
