By John Alechenu, Abuja

Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has expressed confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to reposition Nigeria for global competitiveness through its ongoing reputation management initiatives.

Otu made the remark during his investiture as a Patron of NIPR in Calabar, where he commended the institute for key projects, including the establishment of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), the University of Public Relations and Leadership (UPRL), and securing the hosting rights for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).

The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by NIPR’s Director of Public Relations, Stanley Ogadigo.

The governor noted that managing Nigeria’s global reputation remains a major challenge but expressed optimism that the institute’s efforts would help reshape the country’s image and place it on a path of visible growth.

Earlier, NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said the institute is pursuing strategic collaborations with credible leaders and institutions to build a strong reputational asset for Nigeria, in line with its mandate to regulate public relations practice in the country.

Neliaku also commended Governor Otu for his commitment to service delivery, highlighting his administration’s human-centred projects in education, agriculture, road infrastructure, and other key sectors as evidence of effective leadership.