By Cynthia Talatu Batuta
The President of the Congress of African Journalists, Chief Chris Isiguzo, has challenged newly inducted members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct as they begin their journey in the public relations profession.
Speaking at the NIPR 2026 Second Quarter Induction Ceremony held in Abuja on Friday, Isiguzo described journalism and public relations as complementary professions united by a common responsibility to promote truth, accountability and national development.
He noted that at a time when misinformation, disinformation, fake news and declining public confidence continue to threaten societies across the globe, the responsibility of communication professionals has become even more critical.
According to him, the induction ceremony was not merely a formal admission into a professional body but a solemn commitment to safeguarding trust, protecting reputations and strengthening stakeholder engagement in the interest of society.
“What is happening here today is a solemn initiation into a profession that sits at the heart of reputation management, trust-building, stakeholder engagement and national development,” he stated.
The former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists congratulated the President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, alongside the institute’s leadership, for their unwavering commitment to advancing ethical practice, professional excellence and strategic communication in Nigeria.
Addressing the newly inducted members, Isiguzo reminded them that the certificates they received symbolise far more than academic accomplishments, describing them as a covenant of service, professionalism and integrity.
He urged the new practitioners to remain steadfast in promoting truth, transparency and responsible engagement, stressing that society urgently requires communicators who can inspire confidence through credible and ethical communication.
The CAJ President cautioned against the misuse of influence, warning that communication devoid of ethics could have devastating consequences for society.
“Influence without integrity is dangerous, and communication without ethics can be destructive. Therefore, let your practice be guided by honesty, professionalism, empathy and a commitment to the public good,” he advised.
Isiguzo further urged communication professionals to embrace innovation, particularly the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies, while ensuring that ethical principles remain the foundation of their professional practice.
He observed that the rapidly evolving media landscape demands continuous learning and adaptation without sacrificing the core values of credibility, responsibility and accountability.
Commending NIPR for its growing contributions to national discourse and professional development, he described the institute as one of Africa’s foremost professional bodies in strategic communication.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Congress of African Journalists to strengthening collaboration with NIPR in promoting ethical communication, enhancing media literacy and combating the growing menace of misinformation across the African continent.
“As President of the Congress of African Journalists, I assure you of our continued support and collaboration in advancing professional communication, combating misinformation, promoting media literacy and fostering a more informed and enlightened society across Africa,” he said.
He charged the newly inducted members to wear their NIPR membership with pride, responsibility and dedication, urging them to become ambassadors of trust, credibility and positive societal transformation.
The ceremony attracted public relations professionals, industry leaders, fellows of the institute and key stakeholders in the communication sector who gathered to witness the formal induction of a new generation of public relations practitioners into the profession.