BY PETER USMAN

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that within two years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, N1.5trn was allocated to tackle food crises.

He assured Nigerians that the prevailing food crisis and other socio-economic challenges would soon give way to a new era of prosperity and food sufficiency.

Idris stated this while addressing the just-concluded summit of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital where he said the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) of President Bola Tinubu-led administration was on the path of steering the country out of the woods.

According to him, “The two years of the Tinubu administration have shown significant progress, including the allocation of N1.5 trillion to revamp the Bank of Agriculture.”

The Minister appealed to public relations professionals to key into the ongoing efforts and reforms to rebrand the nation’s reputation and attract investors into the country.

The state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, highlighted the importance of public relations in economic development.

“I believe public relations practitioners can work collaboratively with the larger media to market our nation,” she appealed.

Speaking on the theme of the Nigerian Public Relations Week 2025: “Harnessing Public Relations for Nigerian Economic Relations,” the Governor expressed optimism that public relations practitioners can play a crucial role in building a better Nigeria by working with government and investors to positively project the country.

The President and Chairman of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, identified gab in strategic policy communication in leadership at all levels, pointing out that much needed to be done to address the lacuna.

He asserted that lack of effective communication remains a major problem of leadership in Nigeria, adding that prosperous Nigeria can be built together, if we work collaboratively.

The NIPR President also used the occasion to announce that Nigeria will host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) which, he disclosed, would bring together public relations practitioners from around the world.

High-points of the event were posthumous awards to three distinguished Nigerians including the late LOC Chairman of Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW 25), Dr Uduak Obot, in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s reputation, and the inauguration of the body of Advisors of Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG,) led by Dr. John Momoh, as Chairman; Muhammed Kudu Abubakar, Inaugural Secretary and Bashiru Adenuyi as Vice Chairman.