By Kunle Sodipo
Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo has thrown her weight behind the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) and Owambe Season 2, describing the initiatives as laudable platforms for enhancing Nigeria’s global reputation and celebrating its rich cultural heritage.
She expressed her support when a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ogun State Chapter, paid her a courtesy visit at her residence in Abeokuta. During the visit, she prayed for the success of both initiatives and encouraged the delegation to sustain its efforts towards projecting a positive image of Nigeria.
The respected matriarch also urged the delegation to intensify advocacy for sound moral and traditional values, particularly within families and among young people. Emphasising the importance of family stability, she encouraged women to pay attention to their marital responsibilities and support their husbands, while cautioning against behaviours that could create unnecessary tension and stress in the home.
Speaking on the relationship between values and national development, Chief Obasanjo expressed concern over what she described as the erosion of moral standards, particularly among young people. She stressed that a nation’s progress is closely linked to the strength of its value system.
She challenged the NIPR, as a professional body committed to reputation management and strategic communication, to leverage its platforms to promote family values, marital responsibility, respect for elders and dignity of labour.
According to her, sustained advocacy for positive values is essential to building responsible citizens, strengthening family relationships and fostering a society that commands respect both locally and internationally.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ogun State NIPR Chapter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, commended Chief Bola Obasanjo for her motherly counsel, warmth and wisdom, describing her as a respected figure whose guidance remains valuable to society.
Boye highlighted the significance of Owambe Season 2, scheduled for November 6, 2026, and the World Public Relations Forum, a global gathering of public relations professionals scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.
She explained that the two initiatives present opportunities to showcase Nigeria’s cultural identity, strengthen professional communication and project a positive image of the country to the international community.
The visit forms part of the Ogun State NIPR Chapter’s stakeholder engagement efforts to mobilise support for both initiatives. It also underscores the Chapter’s commitment to harnessing public relations as a tool for promoting positive social values, celebrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage and strengthening the country’s reputation at home and abroad.
Through these engagements, the Chapter aims to deepen stakeholder participation in reputation-building efforts while highlighting the role of cultural heritage, responsible communication and shared values in shaping Nigeria’s global image.
