By Ese Ufuoma
Every July 16, Public Relations professionals across the world come together to celebrate World PR Day, a global recognition of the critical role public relations plays in shaping conversations, rebuilding trust, and bringing people closer.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges & Navigating Polarisation”, couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment. As societies become increasingly divided by politics, misinformation, and cultural differences, public relations is recognised not just as a career but as a crucial means for fostering unity.
At a recent seminar marking the 4th edition of World Public Relations Day, industry experts, thought leaders, and PR practitioners gathered to reflect on this growing responsibility.
Opening the event was Dr. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Chairman, Executive Communication and Public Relations Committee. In her welcome address, she reminded everyone that the growing celebration of World PR Day is proof that public relations is no longer in the shadows; it’s now seen as the “heart specialist of society”. According to her, PR’s main job is to mend broken relationships, heal public trust, and keep society’s heartbeat steady.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), opened the floor with a strong statement: “A nation can do nothing without PR.” He handed over to session moderator Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, who guided the conversation as Victor Sibeko, an international PR expert, spoke on “Public Relations as a Tool for National Cohesion, One Message at a Time, One Campaign at a Go.”
Sibeko highlighted Africa’s paradox: a continent of 1.4 billion people across 54 countries, yet still struggling to unite. He pointed to how divisive elections and manipulated narratives continue to tear nations apart. For him, PR is not about glamour or social events; it’s about shaping values, promoting unity, and ensuring that diverse groups find common ground.
PR must go beyond the press release,” he said. “It must craft inclusive stories, support national identity, and remind us of our shared humanity, especially in the age of artificial intelligence and rapid tech advancement.”
He concluded with a powerful message: “PR must be used for healing, not harm; for unity, not division; for purpose, not propaganda.”
Furthermore, Professor Okey Ikechukwu, a strategic management expert, addressed a deeper challenge: the miscommunication between leaders and those they lead.
According to him, this gap is one of the biggest “broken bridges” in our society, and Public Relations has a big role to play in fixing it.
He praised NIPR for actively working to bridge this gap, saying the organisation isn’t just talking but is already applying sustainable methods to build trust. Professor Ikechukwu offered practical steps: instead of punishing organisations not aligned with NIPR’s values, invite them in, educate them, and celebrate those who make the effort to change.
Among the tools he recommended for building bridges in Nigeria were:
Mutual respect and equality
Consulting professional PR bodies like NIPR
Raising awareness from the home, through values and everyday actions.
He concluded that public relations starts from the home, and its influence spreads outward, from families to communities and the nation at large.
World PR Day 2025 was more than just a celebration. It was a reminder that public relations is more than a profession; it is a lifeline for peace, a voice of reason, and a bridge where there once were walls.
As the world continues to face divisions, it is clear that Public Relations professionals are not just writing press statements; they are shaping futures, one message and one campaign at a time.
