Speaker Abbas Unveils Nigeria Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday unveiled the Nigeria Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code (SCPC) at the second edition of the Nigeria Spokespersons Summit in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Integrity and the Evolving Role of Spokespersons in Leadership Communication,” brought together key players in government communication, media, and public relations.
The event emphasized the urgent need to rebuild trust in public institutions through ethical and strategic communication.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, used the platform to reiterate the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing media literacy across the country.
He described it as an “urgent national imperative” in the fight against the growing menace of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation threatening national unity.
“Media and information literacy is not just a necessity—it is the surest way to arm our citizens against the cankerworm of fake news, which has the potential to tear our nation apart,” the Minister stated.
He applauded the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for organizing the summit in collaboration with the Ministry, describing it as a timely intervention to reshape the narrative of public communication and foster credible leadership messaging.
As part of ongoing reforms, Idris announced the recognition of Public Relations as a distinct cadre within the federal civil service—a move aimed at professionalizing government communication and restoring public confidence.
NIPR President and Chairman, Dr. Ike Neliaku, echoed similar sentiments, calling for a renewed commitment to integrity, ethics, and national consciousness in public communication. He stressed that the role of spokespersons has evolved beyond issuing press statements to include strategic leadership, conflict management, and nation-building.
“In today’s information-driven society, the spokesperson must rise above partisan rhetoric to become a voice of clarity, truth, and national cohesion,” Dr. Neliaku stated.
He urged communicators at all levels to embrace the newly unveiled Charter and Practice Code as a standard for professionalism and ethical conduct in the line of duty.
