… as NIPR holds Citizens Summit
Reputation management and communications specialist, Dr Jossy Nkwocha has identified solutions to Nigeria’s integration crisis.
While addressing the two-day Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace, and Security organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nkwocha said that government should muster the political will to re-order Nigeria in line with the national anthem, motto and constitution.
Nkwocha’s paper, which was titled “Building reputation of Excellence as Core National Asset: Framework, Strategies, Tools and Actions, was deliver at the summit held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. It was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Nkwocha, a Fellow of the NIPR, noted key measures in rebuilding the country to achieve desired unity, economic prosperity, and social cohesion.
“Let social justice, equity, federal character and all the ideals enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) be respected and implemented to reduce cries of marginalisation” he counselled.
“Let the Federal Government manage our diversities appropriately, knowing that the country has over 250 ethnic groups, each of which wants to enjoy the commonwealth. Let excellence, merit, best practice, innovations be the hallmark of government at all levels in Nigeria”, he further said.
To achieve economic prosperity, Nkwocha suggested that government should create incentives for local and foreign investors and do away with policy summersaults and harsh investment decisions that put investors out of balance.
The paper was delivered on his behalf by a corporate communications professional, Chinedum Emeana. It also addressed how to achieve political stability.
“Let politics of ideas, politics without bitterness and inclusive politics be the ethos of Nigeria’s national politics”, he said.
The lecture moderated by retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olushina Thorpe, who is also a Fellow of the Institute and member of Council. Nwkocha’s presentation identified solution to the security crisis in Nigeria.
“Let the Federal Government declare a national emergency on insecurity and deal decisively with all manner of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, unknown gunmen, etc to stop the current bloodletting in the country.
“Let crime and criminality across the country be treated with equal intensity and severity, with no sacred cows whatsoever”, declared.
The guest speaker stated that when there is peace, unity and security in Nigeria, tourists and investors will be attracted.
“Let the government develop all our tourism sites across the country to attract tourists.
“Let us use sports, movies, creative arts, our beautiful cultures and traditions to recreate and project a new Nigeria of our dream”, he said.
He suggested that Nigerian President should appoint a Minister on Brand Nigeria, whose responsibility would be to help the government to build, monitor, manage and sustain positive reputation for the country.
“Let the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria know that he is the Chief Reputation Officer of the country and all his utterances, actions and inactions can affect the reputation of the country.
“NIPR should act as moral a compass across the country to get government to do the right thing at the right time”, he advised.
NIPR President, Mallam Muktar Sirajo said the summit was the institute’s imitative to rebuild the nation to bring about national integration, peace, unity and security.
