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The Kaduna state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has begun mobilising members and government information officers for the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), with the state government expected to sponsor some participants.
The chapter’s chairman, Mohammed Abdullahi, disclosed this at its October general meeting in Kaduna, where he said the forum would provide an opportunity to showcase the state’s investment potential, cultural heritage and development efforts to a global audience.
Abdullahi described the WPRF as a major platform for public relations practitioners to build professional networks, attract partnerships and promote Kaduna State to investors and development partners.
“We are not going to the WPRF as mere participants; we are going as ambassadors of Kaduna State,” he said, adding that the chapter was pursuing partnerships and sponsorships to support members and government information officers attending the event.
He said the chapter was also working to reposition itself through a digital transformation agenda covering membership management, online communication, e-learning, virtual participation and the development of a digital resource centre.
According to him, a needs assessment conducted by the chapter identified continuous training and improved digital competence as key priorities for members.
“We cannot practise public relations of the future with the tools of the past,” Abdullahi said, stressing the need to equip practitioners with skills relevant to changing communication demands.
He said the chapter had consequently introduced monthly and quarterly capacity-building lectures to improve members’ professional competence.
The meeting also featured a lecture on artificial intelligence and public relations practice delivered by a professor, Samaila Mande, who urged practitioners to adopt the technology responsibly without allowing it to replace professional expertise.
Mande said AI could support public relations practice but cautioned against over-reliance on it in areas requiring critical thinking, emotional intelligence, professional judgment and strategic decision-making.
He called for the ethical use of AI in line with the principles and professional code of the public relations industry.
In a goodwill message, the immediate past chapter chairman, Haroun Malami, congratulated the new executive committee and urged it to deliver measurable results while sustaining the chapter’s progress.
He also encouraged members with relevant expertise to contribute to professional training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Abdullahi commended the immediate past executive committee for renovating and modernising the chapter’s secretariat, pledging to build on its achievements.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to professional development, digital innovation and ethical practice.
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