Corporate Integrity Key Pillar to Strengthen Nigeria's Economic Architecture — NIPR
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has identified corporate integrity as a critical pillar to boost the country's economic architecture and restoring public trust in institutions.
The Acting President of NIPR, Prof. Emmanuel Samu Dandaura, who stated this on Tuesday in his address at the 2nd Reputation Roundtable hosted by the FCT Chapter of the Institute emphasised that reputation must move beyond rhetoric to become a structural component of governance, economic resilience and national development.
The event had as the theme, "The New Architecture of Corporate Integrity: Navigating Power, Perception and Purpose".
He noted that although Nigeria’s GDP growth projections hover around 3.5 per cent, unemployment remains above 30 per cent while inflation exceeds 20 per cent, stressing that such economic realities directly influence public confidence in both public and private institutions.
"Consider the reality: foreign direct investment in sub-Saharan Africa declined by 12% last year. Capital is cautious. But capital can be inspired. Not by slogans, but by credible frameworks.
"Where institutions fail to embrace stakeholders with fairness, transparency and accountability, scepticism grows. Distrust grows. Instability grows", he stated.
Prof. Dandaura outlined what he described as three enduring pillars of the “New Architecture” of corporate integrity, which include, power anchored in accountability, perception grounded in authenticity, and purpose translated into measurable performance.
He stressed that boardroom decisions must withstand public scrutiny, corporate promises align with stakeholder experience, and organisational vision reflect in ethical audits, environmental impact and human capital investment.
In his remarks, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba-Ndace said reputation is more more a soft asset, but a strategic capital that determines trust, influences legitimacy and anchors sustainability.
He called on spokespersons to avoid the temptation of suppressing facts but come up with timely and accurate information that close trust gap and win the confidence of stakeholders.
Chairman of NIPR, FCT, Mr. Stanley Ogadigo said the capacity building programme is part of the Chapter's efforts to ensure that spokespersons are well-grounded to carry out their assignments in a way that the nation comes first.
"The idea behind this specialised training is anchored on the fact that if we are able to get it right in our various organisations, our nation's reputation will be elevated to a status of pride. Charity they say begins at home. It is very critical to look into the activities of our individual organisations. When we get it right at that point, our reputation as a nation will be very competitive", he said.
Dignitaries at the event include, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria; former Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Kogunan Sokoto, Mallam Nasir Danladi; former Chairman of NIPR FCT Chapter, the Olumobi of Imobi Ijesa, HRM Jacob Adetayo Haastrup; Registrar NIPR, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue; Chairman Blue Economy Nigeria Ltd, Hajiya Lami Tumaka; Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet and host of others.
Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, Dr. Emmanuella Arukwe and the Director General, Army Resource Centre, Major General JGK Myam (Rtd) served as the Keynote Speakers.
Resource persons include, Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu; Author of the Diary of Linkman, Salem Ali Sallam; CEO Cihan Media Communications, Dr. Celestine Achi and the Director General, Strategic Communication & Events Management to Nasarawa State, Mallam Yakubu Lamai.
