In a concerted effort to ensure full participation of Information and Public Relations Officers in the Cross River State Civil Service, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Cross River State Chapter, Pastor Austin Mboso, has appealed to the State Government to support officers to attend the upcoming World Public Relations Forum.
The Forum is scheduled to hold in Abuja from 15th to 21st November, 2026.
The State Chairman made the appeal when he led members of his executive and other members of the Institute on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, in his office in Calabar.
Mboso, who described the Commissioner as a strategic partner in advancing professional public relations and effective information management in the State, lauded him for aligning swiftly with his mandate as the State's spokesman within a short period in office.
Justifying his appeal, Mboso disclosed that the event is organised to address global communication challenges, combat misinformation, and harness strategic communication to drive trust and sustainable development, stressing the need to equip Information Officers in line with global best practices.
He said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the professional body and the Ministry, noting that the Commissioner's track record and professional legacy gave the Institute confidence that he would bring the same results-oriented approach to his new assignment.
According to him, the Cross River NIPR Chapter had previously earned national recognition for outstanding performance, and expressed optimism that the Commissioner's support would help the chapter sustain its activities and further advance the practice of public relations in the State.
The NIPR Chairman disclosed that the World Public Relations Forum would bring together public relations organisations from across the world in Abuja, and reiterated the need for the Commissioner to facilitate the attendance of Information Officers, as it would provide an opportunity to project the image and achievements of Cross River State on the global stage.
Mboso also sought the Ministry's support for the Chapter's forthcoming Annual General Meeting and Public Relations Week scheduled for December, appealing to the Commissioner to help mobilise other commissioners, government officials and well-meaning stakeholders to participate.
He further highlighted the NIPR's annual Children's Day Corporate Social Responsibility programme, through which the Institute gives back to children and the wider society to commemorate the Day of the African Child, and requested the Ministry's partnership in sustaining the initiative.
Responding, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, thanked the NIPR delegation for the visit, stressing that government and professional bodies must work together to achieve meaningful results.
Quoting the late Chief MKO Abiola, the Commissioner said, "It is not possible to clap with one hand," emphasising the importance of close collaboration between the Ministry and the Institute.
He acknowledged the requests presented by the NIPR and assured the delegation that, despite financial constraints, efforts would be made to explore available avenues to support the participation of Ministry personnel at the global PR gathering in Abuja.
The Commissioner also pledged to examine other areas of assistance that could enable the NIPR Cross River Chapter to achieve its objectives, stressing that the Ministry desired a close and productive working relationship with the Institute.
He described himself as a results-oriented person, noting that within his short period in office, his team had understood his direction and was working assiduously to deliver measurable milestones for the benefit of Cross River State.
The Commissioner further recalled his earlier commitment to provide the NIPR with better accommodation for its meetings, pending a more permanent arrangement, and assured the delegation that efforts were already being made in that regard.
He said the Ministry's doors remained open to the Institute and expressed readiness to deepen a cordial partnership that would promote professional communication, effective information dissemination and the overall development of Cross River State.
He thanked the NIPR delegation for the visit and assured them of his continued support at all its activities in the State.
Nakanda Iyadim Daniel Nsa
