The President and CEO of Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green says Nigeria does not need to struggle to tell the world how a great country it is, saying its story is already known.
This comes barely two months to the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), a huge reputational project to be hosted by Nigeria, expected to have in attendance over 3,000 policymakers, business leaders, academics, students and stakeholders in responsible from across 136 countries of the world.
Prof. Green who is in Nigeria to assess the level of preparation spoke at a dinner organised in his honour by the Chairman United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo in Abuja on Sunday where he emphasised that Nigeria is a country of rich mineral resources, great and highly talented people.
He said, "There is no need for people to be under the illusion that Africa and Nigeria should be telling their story. The world is watching Africa. Nigeria has told the world what it can do. That are very proud of their country, you don't need to tell the world your story because the world knows your story". He hailed the Nigeria's spirit of hard work, resilience and creativity in key sectors across the world, stressing that, that is what the country truly represents.
According to Prof. Green, Nigeria did not receive the right to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, but instead entered a competition with other countries of the world and emerged the best to host the Forum, coming to West Africa for the first time since creation of Global Alliance 25 years ago.
He expressed hope that with participation from World Bank, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Commission, Interpol, World Customs Organisation and other global organisations, the attention of the world will shift to Nigeria for the entire week.
Earlier, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku reiterated the readiness of the Institute to give the world the best WPRF in the history of Global Alliance.
He commended Prof. Green for giving Africa a voice in the global communication ecosystem by ensuring adequate representation for the continent on the Global Alliance Board.