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Inside Nigeria’s Premier Communication Gathering: A Young Communicator’s Perspective

By Abdulmalik Magwe Bello

Some experiences end when an event closes. Others stay with us because they reshape how we see ourselves, our profession and the possibilities ahead. For me, August 13, 2026, belongs firmly in the second category. It was the day I moved from observing national conversations from a distance to witnessing one up close, surrounded by people whose names I had known long before I ever imagined meeting them.

As a PRNigeria Young Communication Fellow at the Abuja Centre—an initiative of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR)—I have spent months learning the practical dimensions of journalism, public relations and strategic communication. But nothing prepared me for the depth of exposure I gained at the 4th Economic Confidential Annual Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards, organised by IMPR, publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest.

The theme, “Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication,” was timely. The keynote speaker, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), delivered a message that resonated deeply: corruption is not fought by institutions alone; it is fought by families, communities and values. His emphasis on national reorientation beginning at home was powerful. If society condemns corruption publicly but celebrates unexplained wealth privately, every anti-corruption effort becomes weakened.

One revelation from his lecture stunned the hall: a government official allegedly placing fourteen family members on the public payroll. It was a disturbing example of how corruption thrives not only through weak systems but through warped personal values. Strong institutions matter, but values matter too.

The event offered other unforgettable moments. Meeting Abdullahi Haruna (Haruspice)—whose writings I had followed online for years—reminded me that digital admiration can become real-world connection. Seeing him in person, introducing myself and exchanging a few words felt symbolic. Sometimes, the people we admire from afar eventually become people we can shake hands with.

Listening to the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, reinforced the ethical weight of communication. His statement—“We should not share what we are not sure about”—captured the responsibility every communicator carries in an age of viral misinformation. Verification is no longer a newsroom routine; it is an ethical obligation.

The event also featured contributions from respected communication leaders: Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA); and Malam Danlami Nmodu, President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP). Their interventions reinforced the link between communication, credibility and national development.

Another highlight was the unveiling of two books by IMPR’s Chief Executive Officer, Yushau A. Shuaib—MNI Versus MNIPR in NIPSS: Tackling Institutional Bullying and AI in Crisis Communication. Their presentation added intellectual depth to an event already centred on accountability and institutional responsibility.

Equally inspiring was the recognition of outstanding individuals and organisations at the National Spokespersons Awards. Celebrating excellence is not merely about plaques; it sets standards for younger practitioners to emulate. For someone at the beginning of a professional journey, that matters.

But my strongest memory of August 13 is more personal. It was the day people I had previously watched on screens became people I could meet. My professional network expanded, my confidence grew and my understanding of the communication profession deepened. There is a difference between reading about national conversations and being present when they happen. There is also a difference between admiring professionals from afar and finding yourself in the same room, listening, observing and learning from them.

The PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship gave me that opportunity. It reminded me that professional development does not happen only inside classrooms. Sometimes, it happens through a handshake, a brief conversation, an unexpected introduction, a statement from a speaker—or simply being present in a room where ideas and relationships are being formed.

August 13, 2026, will therefore remain indelible in my memory. Not merely because of the personalities I met or the event I attended, but because it represented something larger in my journey. For years, I had watched many of these people from afar. That day, I was finally in the room. And sometimes, entering the room is all it takes to begin seeing how much further you can go.

Abdulmalik Magwe Bello is a PRNigeria Fellow. He can be reached at [email protected]