Daud Olatunji
Wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Bola Obasanjo, has thrown her weight behind Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, expressing optimism that the international gathering will boost the country’s global image and contribute to its long-awaited turnaround.
Obasanjo spoke on Saturday while receiving a delegation of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, led by its chairman, Mrs Oluwaseun Boye, at her residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
She described the forum as an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its cultural heritage, creative potential and capacity to contribute to global discussions on responsible communication.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum, scheduled for November 15 to 21 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, is being organised by the NIPR in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
Themed, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” the week-long event is expected to attract public relations practitioners, policymakers and business leaders from more than 100 countries.
Speaking during the visit, Obasanjo offered prayers for the success of the forum and urged its organisers to remain committed to initiatives that promote human welfare, particularly among young people and disadvantaged groups.
She expressed confidence that the international engagement would help project Nigeria in a positive light and open new opportunities for the country.
“As you gather in this season, may Almighty God send you admirers and destiny-helpers who will connect you to opportunities ordained by Jehovah,” she said.
She also prayed for divine wisdom, courage, diligence and strength for the organisers and participants, expressing the hope that their efforts would yield lasting benefits.
According to her, the commitment to public service demonstrated by the NIPR members was worthy of encouragement, particularly where it seeks to improve the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
“You are doing this to encourage the youth, the less privileged, the downtrodden and the marginalised. When you serve humanity, you serve God, and Almighty God will not forsake you,” she added.
The former president’s wife further expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, declaring that the country would overcome its present challenges and experience better days.
“Nigeria is a land flowing with milk and honey, and things will turn around for the better for us,” she said, while praying for continued strength and success for the organisers.
Earlier, the Ogun NIPR chairman, Boye, said the visit was part of activities to conclude the chapter’s roadshow, tagged “Owanbe Season 2 on the Road for WPRF,” aimed at mobilising support for the global forum and promoting the chapter’s cultural end-of-year event.
She explained that the campaign was designed to sensitise stakeholders across Ogun State to the significance of Nigeria hosting the international gathering for the first time.
Boye said the chapter was taking Nigeria’s cultural diversity, hospitality and celebratory traditions to different audiences as part of efforts to generate enthusiasm for the event.
“Our message today is simple but powerful: Ogun NIPR is taking its culture, hospitality, diversity and the spirit of celebration to the road as we mobilise support for WPRF 2026,” she said.
Describing the forum as a major international gathering for the public relations and communication industry, Boye said more than 3,000 delegates were expected to attend.
She said the event would provide Nigeria with an opportunity to demonstrate its cultural richness, professional expertise and readiness to engage with the international community.
Boye also disclosed that the relevant security and border agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Police Force, had made provisions to facilitate the movement of participants attending from within and outside the country.
She expressed confidence that the arrangements would help ensure a smooth experience for delegates throughout the event.
Also speaking, the chairman of the WPRF committee, Mrs Taiwo Akintomide, said the forum presented an important opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its international reputation and create a lasting legacy for the public relations profession.
Akintomide said the event would enable Nigerian practitioners to exchange ideas with their international counterparts, acquire new knowledge, establish professional connections and contribute to discussions shaping the future of global communication.
“The WPRF offers Nigeria an opportunity to tell its story to the world, while also giving Nigerian practitioners an opportunity to listen, learn, connect and contribute to the global PR conversation,” she said.
The organisers are expected to use the forum to bring together professionals and stakeholders from different countries to discuss the role of responsible communication in addressing contemporary challenges and strengthening relationships among governments, businesses and the public.
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