Mind What You Post, NIPR President tells UNIAbuja Students at Mentorship Workshop
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, has cautioned undergraduate communicators to be mindful of what they post online.
He stressed that reputation is a lifelong asset that can be damaged or strengthened by their digital choices.
He gave the charge on Wednesday at the Undergraduate Communicators’ Mentorship Workshop held at the University of Abuja.
The workshop, organised by the FCT Chapter of the NIPR as part of activities marking its 35th anniversary, brought together students, faculty members and communication professionals for an interactive session on industry expectations and ethical standards.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Neliaku said the University of Abuja stands out as a “university of first choice and first responsibility,” noting that the partnership between the NIPR and key communication and advertising bodies is part of a broader effort to advance the study and practice of public relations across the country.
He told the students that communication is central to nation-building, warning that any country that fails to understand the soft power of public relations is already “missing in action.”
He added that reputation remains a critical national asset, influencing how nations are perceived globally.
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According to him, reputation capital determines how people and institutions are treated. “If your reputation capital is low, people won’t take you seriously,” he said.
“That is why we emphasised to the students that the earlier they understand the importance of reputation, the better. What you post today, what you share, will come back to define your character and who you become later in life.”
In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdullahi Bashir, described the event as a strong demonstration of the collaboration between the university and the industry.
He said the presence of the NIPR leadership would expose students to real-world industry practices, allowing them to complement theory with practical knowledge.
Prof. Bashir added that the engagement aligns with the faculty’s goal of enhancing students’ understanding of the communication landscape, while giving lecturers and staff an opportunity to deepen their own professional insights.
Also speaking, Co-Chairman of the NIPRFCT@35 Anniversary Planning Committee, Akinrogun Alaba Yusuf, said the mentorship workshop was organised to give back to society and bridge the gap between generations of communication professionals.
He noted that preparing young communicators for the realities of the industry remains a core mandate of the chapter’s anniversary activities.
A cross-section of the students who participated in the training expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn directly from top industry stakeholders.
