Home News Ending Fake News: INEC, NIPR To Collaborate Through Staff Training 

Ending Fake News: INEC, NIPR To Collaborate Through Staff Training 

Ending Fake News: INEC, NIPR To Collaborate Through Staff Training 

Princess-Ekwi Ajide

In an effort to fashion out more practical ways to tackle the threats posed by fake news in the electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, have agreed to explore ways of deepening existing relationships.

They reached the agreement 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.

Both parties deliberated on various strategies to strengthen the capabilities of INEC personnel through specialized training programmes and workshops facilitated by the NIPR.

NIPR President, Dr. Neliaku, who was accompanied by NIPR delegation explained that the essence of the visit was to explore potential areas of collaboration between NIPR and INEC.

He highlighted some strategic areas the new leadership of the Institute focused on, which could be of mutual benefit to both Organisations and outlined some activities that the institute will hold this year in addition to other regular activities.

The NIPR President requested INEC to take advantage of what the institute has to offer in terms of synergy, strengthening the corporate identity and reputation management of the Commission.

According to him, the Institute is blessed with the best brains in terms of training and capacity building, adding, and they have their structures across the Federal Republic of Nigeria, just as they have human and material resources to do that.

In response, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, decried the prevalence of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation especially on social media.

He sought to know how they could work together to combat fake news, misinformation, and disinformation as he believes that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and transparency.

The INEC boss however, acknowledged that it takes more than openness and transparency to counter fake news, and expressed joy that the professionals visited.

He reiterated that the commission will partner NIPR to ensure that it does not only communicate succinctly but also communicates in the right way and that the message is received and appropriate action taken.

According to the INEC Chairman on capacity building for staff, they have spokespersons at the Headquarters of the Commission and also have people who speak for the Commission in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as such, have more spokespersons nationwide than in any other Organisation.

He promised that they will continue to partner with the NIPR in building the capacity of all the staff and I’m happy that you have We will continue to sponsor our staff to your capacity building programmes.”

Earlier in the day, the INEC Chairman in company of the National Commissioners also received 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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