The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has made an announcement regarding the organization of a Royal Dialogue for traditional rulers in the country. The dialogue will focus on national reputation and values reverse.
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During a public relations stakeholder roundtable with royal fathers in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, Dr. Ike Neliaku, president and chairman of the NIPR council, made the announcement. The event was part of the festivities marking a weeklong celebration of NIPR 2025.
Going back to the status quo, where they could collaborate with the government to promote development and peace, was necessary, according to Neliaku, who recalled the significant roles played by the royal fathers in the past in developing and constructing their villages.
Continuing with his assertion that the royal dialogue will bring about ideal leadership and development while restoring our nation’s reputation, the president announced that the event would begin in Akwa Ibom, the place where the idea was initially proposed. The Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy affairs, in collaboration with the NIPR, would serve as the event’s driving force.
“The royal fathers have always provided guidance to leadership and brought development to their kingdoms before even the present government came,” he said. Our ancestors, the royal fathers, brought development to the grassroots level in conjunction with the government; hence, we must return to that era.
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“We are simply consulting. Based on this occurrence, we have decided to hold a Royal Dialogue on National Reputation and Values Reverse in conjunction with the honorable commissioner for local government and chieftaincy issues. We think this deserves a lot of praise. We are planning to have the inaugural event in Akwa Ibom, the state where the idea was born, before expanding it to the rest of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council, President General Ntenyin Solomon Etuk praised the NIPR for inviting the royal fathers to the ceremony and for selecting Akwa Ibom as the host state.
Etuk emphasized that traditional leaders have a responsibility to inform the general public about government programs, and that a collaboration with the NIPR would provide them the tools they need to do just that, fostering harmony and prosperity in their communities.
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“New ways of managing information will be taught to us today by the council so that we can pass this information on to the people. Things are changing all the time; we are no longer analog, systems have changed, and we must change too.” He chimed in.
Frank Archibong, the state’s commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, made it clear in his message of goodwill that the people of Akwa Ibom have always been well-informed about the passage of time because of the efforts of the many administrations that have been before them.
According to him, the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is making an effort to teach traditional rulers how to use public relations techniques for grassroots governance, which, when done well, may greatly aid in creating peace and handling crises.
According to the resource person, Rev. Francis Asuk, traditional rulers’ ability to manage relationships is crucial. In the midst of his call for traditional leaders to receive training in public relations strategies for reducing community tensions and conflicts and securing government aid for their people’s development and welfare, he said that acquiring such skills would help them overcome challenges.
It is important to teach royal fathers how to balance their traditional and modern responsibilities. You need to be skilled in public relations to defuse tensions and resolve conflicts in your kingdoms, and you need to be able to persuade the government to do what you want. “Asuk said,” he continued.