Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has praised the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for its role in advancing women's empowerment and inclusion through strategic communication. He spoke at the NIPR International Women's Day event held on Monday in Abuja, themed "Communicate to Balance: Gain Equity, Empower Women," organised with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). Kefas tied the theme to the biblical story of creation, underscoring communication as key to societal balance and development. He highlighted his administration's appointment of seven young women as commissioners, stating they were performing well.
Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the NCTC, noted that communication could either deepen societal divides or foster trust. He affirmed women's roles as leaders, educators and peace builders, urging greater inclusion in governance and security. NIPR President Dr Ike Neliaku called for a shift in global perception, advocating that women be positioned to lead and reshape societal values. He announced Nigeria will host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum in Abuja in November, expecting over 3,000 participants from 126 countries.
Other speakers included Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the President Hadiza Bala-Usman, and Hajiya Fatima Bago, wife of the Niger governor, all urging increased female participation in national development.
Appointing seven female commissioners is a visible move, but Governor Kefas framing women as natural supporters of men risks undermining the very equity he claims to promote. If leadership roles are still framed as exceptions granted rather than rights claimed, symbolic gestures will outweigh structural change. Nigeria's hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum offers a global stage, but real progress means moving beyond ceremonial praise to measurable inclusion in decision-making.
