Why Economic Confidential Lecture, Spokespersons Awards Matter — YaShuaib
The Image Merchants Promotions Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest, says its annual Economic Confidential Lecture and National Spokespersons Award are designed to promote informed national discourse, recognise excellence and strengthen professional communication in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Alhaji Yusha’u A. Shuaib, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the 4th Economic Confidential Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Award 2026.
Shuaib said the initiatives provide platforms for bringing together government officials, communication professionals, scholars and other stakeholders to discuss critical national issues while recognising individuals and institutions that have distinguished themselves in public communication.
“We are honoured to host yet another gathering of leaders, professionals, scholars, and communication experts committed to strengthening governance, promoting transparency, and advancing excellence in public communication,” he said.
The 2026 Economic Confidential Lecture, themed “Anti-corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication,” featured the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, as keynote speaker.
According to Shuaib, the lecture has evolved into a platform for examining issues around Nigeria’s economy, governance, security and public policy, with emphasis on the role of credible communication in shaping public understanding and strengthening institutions.
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He said the National Spokespersons Award, meanwhile, was established to recognise professionalism, integrity, innovation and excellence among communication professionals and institutions.
Shuaib said the awards had grown in recognition, with the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) granting the National Spokespersons Awards Conference Status, further expanding its professional standing beyond Nigeria.
He noted that the initiatives reflected IMPR’s broader commitment to strengthening the communication profession and creating platforms where ideas, experience and excellence could be shared.
The IMPR chief executive also used the occasion to announce two new initiatives, including a book titled MNI versus MNIPR in NIPSS: Tackling Institutional Bullying and a research project titled AI in Crisis Communication in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.
He said the research examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in crisis communication, including media verification, fact-checking, institutional response and public trust.
According to Shuaib, the research has been shortlisted for the 2026 Golden World Award under the categories of Best Publication of the Year and Best Campaign in AI in Crisis Management.
He said the continued hosting of the lecture and awards was part of IMPR’s commitment to creating platforms that go beyond ceremonies to generate ideas, promote professional standards, recognise excellence and contribute to national development.
The event was chaired by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, and attended by senior government officials, diplomats, security chiefs, academics, journalists, public relations practitioners and other stakeholders.
