The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has emphasised the critical role of communication in strengthening governance, peace, and public trust.
Governor Sani made the remark while receiving an Honorary Fellowship from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Kaduna.
At the Investiture and Conferment of Honorary Fellowship on him, ahead of the opening of Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW), a national engagement, Governor Sani described the institute’s work as “both significant and timely,” particularly in an era marked by widespread access to information and declining public trust.
“Your presence here reflects the seriousness with which the Institute continues to advance humanity, not only by promoting the practice of public relations, but by strengthening public trust upon which effective progress depends,” he said.
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The Governor commended the institute for its recent engagements, including a strategic forum with the Kaduna State Council of Traditional Rulers, which focused on the state’s peace-building framework.
He said; “The discussions were timely and deeply instructive. They reaffirm the relevance of traditional institutions as anchors of legitimacy and custodians of social cohesion. Peace in Kaduna is not an abstract aspiration—it is a deliberate outcome sustained through inclusion, dialogue, and continuous engagement.”
According to him, governance often fails not due to lack of policy, but due to poor communication and execution.
“Communication is not secondary to governance; it is foundational to peace and progress. By aligning institutional messaging with public expectations, we bridge the gap between government intentions and citizens’ experiences”, Governor Sani said.
Expressing gratitude for the honour conferred on him, the Governor described the fellowship as ‘both recognition and responsibility.’
“I receive this honour with humility and a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical communication in the discharge of public duty,” he noted.
Governor Sani further reaffirmed Kaduna State’s commitment to supporting national discourse and fostering collaboration.
“We view this not merely as an event, but as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development. Together, we must build a national narrative that reflects not only our challenges, but also our resilience and potential,” he added.
The President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku highlighted the importance of responsible communication in national development, noting that over 2,000 delegates had gathered for the institute’s annual conference and public lecture.
“We are united by one purpose, the promotion of Nigeria. We have no other agenda beyond strengthening communication as a tool for governance, development, and national cohesion,” Dr Neliaku said.
He praised Governor Sani’s leadership, particularly in infrastructure development, citing ongoing road reconstruction projects as evidence of impactful governance.
“From our records, Your Excellency, you have demonstrated that you have something to offer the people, the state, and the nation. That is why we are not just recognising you as a stakeholder, but conferring on you the Fellowship of the Institute,” Dr Neliaku stated.
The NIPR President also announced that Nigeria would host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, bringing together delegates from over 150 countries.
“This positions Nigeria as a hub for communication and public relations in Africa,” he said.
The event ended with a renewed call for stronger partnerships between government, communication professionals, and the public to enhance transparency, trust, and sustainable development across Nigeria.
