NIPR Delta Chairman Calls for Ethical PR in AI Era at World Public Relations Day 2026

Asaba, Delta State – July 15, 2026

The Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Godfrey C. Osakwe, has called on governments, institutions and stakeholders to embrace strategic public relations as a vital tool for building trust, strengthening democracy and driving sustainable development in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Osakwe, a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations made the call on Thursday in Asaba during his welcome address at the special July Monthly General Meeting convened to commemorate World Public Relations Day 2026, held at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat .

Speaking on this year’s global theme, “The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations,” Osakwe said the communication profession has become more indispensable than ever amid rapid digital transformation, automation and the rise of artificial intelligence .

While acknowledging technology’s transformative impact on communication, Osakwe emphasized that human values remain irreplaceable in effective public relations practice.

“Technology may process information, but only human beings can inspire trust. Artificial intelligence may generate content, but it cannot replace conscience. Algorithms may predict behaviour, but they cannot substitute wisdom, empathy, integrity and ethical judgment,” he stated .

The NIPR chairman noted that the future of the profession lies in what he described as the “Human Operating System (Human OS),” stressing that strategic public relations would continue to thrive because it is fundamentally about understanding people, building relationships, resolving conflicts, managing reputations and earning public trust .

He described public relations practitioners as “builders of trust, custodians of reputation, architects of dialogue and bridges between institutions and the people they serve” .

Osakwe also highlighted Nigeria’s significant contribution to the global public relations profession, noting that World Public Relations Day was conceived by Nigerian communication strategist Ayeni Adekunle and has since grown into a worldwide movement celebrating the transformative role of strategic communication .

Addressing the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, polarization and declining public trust, Osakwe urged governments at all levels, public institutions, private organizations, development partners, the media, civil society and the business community to integrate strategic public relations into leadership and governance .

According to him, organizations that communicate transparently, engage stakeholders sincerely and lead with integrity are better positioned to inspire confidence, foster peace, strengthen democratic institutions, attract investment and achieve sustainable growth .

The event featured Dr. Emmanuel Akpoveta, Lecturer at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, as Guest Speaker, who led discussions on emerging opportunities and responsibilities in strategic communication .

Osakwe encouraged members of the institute to remain committed to professionalism, ethical practice, continuous learning and innovation, saying the celebration should serve as a renewal of the profession’s commitment to excellence and service to humanity .

“Let us embrace this Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations with confidence, courage, innovation, and an unshakable commitment to excellence,” he concluded .