The Chapter is urging government and cultural institutions to leverage the global event to showcase Ogun’s tourism, Adire heritage, and creative economy to an international audience
By Danjuma AMODU
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, has commenced a statewide advocacy and stakeholder engagement campaign ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), urging strategic institutions to leverage the global event to promote Ogun State’s tourism, culture, and creative economy.
Leading a delegation of the Chapter’s Executives and Planning Committee on a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chairman of Ogun NIPR, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, said the awareness campaign was in line with the directive of the National Executive Council of the Institute, which mandated all state chapters to mobilize stakeholders and amplify awareness of the forthcoming global forum.
Mrs. Boye described the World Public Relations Forum, scheduled to hold in Nigeria from November 15 to 21 at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, as a historic opportunity to project the country’s rich cultural heritage and strengthen its global reputation through strategic communication.
She noted that the Forum, themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” would attract public relations professionals, policymakers, government officials, investors, academics, business leaders, communication experts and media practitioners from across the globe.
According to her, Ogun State stands to benefit immensely from the international gathering by showcasing its unique cultural identity and tourism assets to a global audience.
She specifically urged the Ministry to establish an Ogun State Tourism and Adire Pavilion at the Forum, describing it as a strategic platform to market authentic Ogun Adire, promote the state’s tourism destinations, cultural festivals, heritage sites, indigenous arts, crafts and other creative products.
“Ogun State is globally recognised as the home of authentic Adire. The World Public Relations Forum presents a rare opportunity to showcase this rich heritage before an international audience, attract investment into our creative economy, and further position Ogun State as a leading cultural and tourism destination,” she said.
The Ogun NIPR Chairman also encouraged the Ministry to sponsor its Public Relations, Tourism Promotion and Communications officers to participate in the Forum, noting that the event would provide participants with valuable knowledge in destination branding, place marketing, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, digital communication, strategic storytelling and crisis communication.
Responding, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Sesan Fagbayi, appreciated the visit by the Ogun NIPR delegation and commended the Institute for championing strategic communication and stakeholder engagement, promising to consolidate the existing relationship with the Chapter into a more robust partnership.
He stressed that the institute was one of the very few that clearly understands the importance of brand identity and strategic communication in the cultural evolution of Ogun State and the country at large, adding that his Ministry would support its programmes both materially and through policy guidelines where necessary.
In their separate remarks, other management staff of the Ministry, including the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Qudus Yusuf, said the World Public Relations Forum was a platform that could adequately showcase the rich cultural heritage that abounds in the country. He noted that Ogun State, known for its distinct cultural legacy and creativity, can be trusted to make its impact felt at the event.
The visit formed part of Ogun NIPR’s ongoing mobilisation drive towards ensuring that Ogun State maximises the opportunities presented by the World Public Relations Forum while reinforcing the role of public relations as a strategic tool for tourism promotion, cultural diplomacy and economic development.
