• February 11, 2025

By Balarabe Oshiafi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have reached an accord to jointly combat fake news with a view to deepening public confidence in the electoral process.

By the same token, both bodies have agreed to strengthen the capacity of INEC personnel through specialised training programmes and workshops to be facilitated by NIPR.


In a news release made available to Expressday, both agreements were arrived at when a delegation led by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, paid a courtesy visit to the INEC Headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

While decrying the incidence of fake news in the new media, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said, “how do we work together to combat fake news, misinformation, and disinformation? I used to think that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and transparency.

“I still believe so, but it takes more than openness and transparency to counter fake news, and I am happy that the professionals are here today. We will partner with you to ensure that we do not only communicate succinctly but also communicate in the right way and that the message is received and action taken appropriately.”

On capacity building for staff, the INEC Chairman said, “we have spokespersons at the Headquarters of the Commission and we also have people who speak for the Commission in 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

“So, we have more spokespersons nationwide than in any other Organisation. We will continue to partner with the NIPR in building the capacity of all the staff and I’m happy that you have outlined some of the activities that you are going to hold this year in addition to other regular activities. We will continue to sponsor our staff to your capacity building programmes.”

Earlier the NIPR President had outlined some of the areas that will be mutually beneficial to both organizations

Neliaku urged INEC to take advantage of what NIPR has to offer in terms of synergy, strengthening the corporate identity and reputation management of the Commission.

“NIPR is blessed with the best brains in terms of training and capacity building, We have our structures across the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we have human and material resources to carry out training”, he said.

Before the NIPR delegation, INEC Chairman and the National Commissioners also a delegation of representatives of the Ijaws and Urhobos from the Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State led by Chief Dr. George Ominimini on a courtesy visit.

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