Daud Olatunji
A public relations consultant, Mr. Adetokunbo Modupe, has cautioned Nigerians against actions and utterances that could further damage the country’s reputation globally, even as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 Ogun State election, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, warned that Nigeria is gradually sliding into a totalitarian state.
Modupe and Adebutu spoke on Thursday in Abeokuta at the 2025 Annual Colloquium of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, themed “Leadership and Reputation: The Role of Public Relations in Building Trust in Nigeria.”
The event also honoured notable Nigerians, including the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and former Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, for their contributions to leadership and public service.
Adebutu, who chaired the colloquium, lamented that Nigeria’s political system has become hostile to dissent and plagued by greed and moral decay. He expressed concern that the country’s leaders no longer demonstrate empathy, courtesy, or accountability in governance.
> “We have lost courtesy and empathy for ourselves as a nation. We have lost conscience as a people,” he said.
“It’s sad when a country drifts into a situation of ‘grab it, steal it, and run with it.’ The fundamental tenets of democracy are broken. What kind of leadership is that, and what kind of reputation are we building for our nation?”
The former lawmaker said his decision to remain in the opposition party was guided by principle, noting that democracy cannot survive without vibrant opposition and institutional checks.
> “That’s why I remain in the party that I’m in — because there’s value in the opposition. Once there’s no opposition, there’s no democracy and no checks and balances,” Adebutu stated.
“Gradually, we are moving into a totalitarian state, very sadly so, because institutions are being degraded.”
He urged journalists and public relations professionals to speak truth to power and help rebuild national trust through honest communication and ethical practice.
In his keynote address, Modupe, the Founder and Chief Consultant of TPT International Limited, described reputation as a “national capital” that determines the respect accorded to Nigerians abroad.
> “The perception of a country is reflected in the value placed on its citizens,” he said.
“If you want to know Nigeria’s reputation, look at how you’re treated when you step out of this country. It’s not all gloom and doom — we have both our bad and great sides. Building Nigeria’s reputation is a shared responsibility between the leaders and the citizens.”
Also speaking, National President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, represented by Mr. Tope Adaramola, emphasised the urgent need to rebuild trust between leaders and the public through authentic communication, reputation management, and transparency.
> “The role of PR in building trust cannot be more apt than now, given the disconnect between leadership and the led,” Neliaku said.
“Our major challenge as a nation is that we have strong men and weak institutions. NIPR is determined to become stronger than any individual or political interest.”
Earlier, the Ogun State NIPR Chairman, Mr. Oluwaseun Boye, said the colloquium was aimed at refocusing national leadership on ethical governance, transparency, and trust-building.
The gathering, which attracted communication professionals, policymakers, and academics, ended with a call for Nigerian leaders to restore empathy, strengthen institutions, and rebuild the country’s image through responsible leadership and civic discipline.
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