The Kogi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Saturday joined NIPR chapters across the 36 states of Nigeria in a nationwide roadshow to create awareness about the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) Abuja 2026 and encourage professional registration and membership of the Institute.
The roadshow, held on October 3, 2026, is part of the nationwide mobilisation campaign ahead of the global public relations gathering scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 15 to 22, 2026.
The Kogi exercise provided an opportunity for public relations practitioners to engage members of the public, communication professionals, government institutions, students, media organisations and other stakeholders on the significance of Nigeria hosting the international forum.
The team commenced the roadshow from Ganaja Junction, Lokoja, and proceeded through major routes and public engagement points before concluding at the Government House.
A major highlight was a stopover at the Cenotaph, where members of the Institute paid tribute to Nigerian soldiers who served during the First and Second World Wars.
The visit also provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of preserving Nigeria’s historical heritage and promoting responsible storytelling about the country’s history.
The team later visited Lugard House within the Government House complex, another notable heritage site in Lokoja associated with Nigeria’s colonial administrative history.
The visit, according to the organisers, reinforced the role of public relations and strategic communication in documenting, preserving and projecting the historical and cultural heritage of communities and nations.
At the Government House, the Kogi NIPR team was received by the Director-General of Protocol, Mr. Emmanuel Dogwo, who represented the Kogi State Governor.
Mr. Emmanuel welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the role of public relations and strategic communication in projecting the image and identity of Kogi State and Nigeria.
He commended the Kogi NIPR Chapter for participating in the nationwide mobilisation and taking the message of WPRF Abuja 2026 to the public through the roadshow.
The Vice Chairman of the Kogi State NIPR Chapter, Mr. Tade Oshaloto, who represented the Chapter Chairman, Ismaila Isah, told journalists shortly after the team’s arrival at Government House that the roadshow was designed not only to promote the WPRF but also to encourage qualified communication practitioners and other eligible professionals to register with the Institute.
Oshaloto said professional membership of NIPR provides practitioners with an opportunity to identify with the statutory professional body responsible for promoting ethical and responsible public relations practice in Nigeria.
He added that Nigeria’s hosting of WPRF 2026 presents an opportunity for Nigerian communication professionals to participate in global discussions on the future of public relations, professional ethics, trust and responsible communication.
He called on government institutions, corporate organisations, media practitioners, communication professionals, academics, students and other stakeholders to identify with the Forum and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum, themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” is expected to bring together public relations and communication professionals, policymakers, academics and other stakeholders from around the world in Abuja.
The Forum is expected to provide a platform for discussions on trust, ethical leadership, responsible communication, social cohesion, cultural heritage, sustainable development and the changing communication environment, including challenges associated with misinformation and emerging technologies.
The Kogi roadshow featured WPRF and NIPR-branded materials, public sensitisation, stakeholder interactions and media engagement along the route.
The exercise formed part of the Institute’s broader efforts to build awareness, strengthen professional participation and position Nigeria’s public relations community for meaningful engagement with the global communication industry during WPRF Abuja 2026.
