Chief Bola Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed support for Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), praying for the country’s turnaround as it prepares to welcome delegates from across the world.
Mrs. Obasanjo spoke on Saturday while receiving a delegation of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), led by its chairman, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, at her residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.
The forum, scheduled to hold from November 15 to 21, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, is being organised by the NIPR in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
Themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” the week-long event is expected to attract public relations professionals, policymakers and business leaders from more than 100 countries.
Mrs. Obasanjo described the initiative as a laudable platform for promoting Nigeria’s global reputation, showcasing its cultural heritage and highlighting the country’s potential to contribute to global conversations on responsible communication.
She also offered prayers for the success of the forum, expressing optimism that the international gathering would create opportunities for the country and contribute to positive national development.
“As you gather in this season, may Almighty God send you admirers and destiny-helpers who will connect you to opportunities ordained by Jehovah. May He grant you the grace to exhibit more courage, skill, prudence and diligence, and strengthen you and all yours to remain strong and focused in all you do,” she said.
Mrs. Obasanjo commended the organisers for their commitment to humanity, particularly their efforts to encourage young people and support vulnerable and marginalised groups.
“You are doing this to encourage the youth, the less privileged, the downtrodden and the marginalised. When you serve humanity, you serve God, and Almighty God will not forsake you,” she added.
Expressing confidence in Nigeria’s future, she described the country as a land of abundant opportunities and prayed for improved fortunes for its citizens.
“Nigeria is a land flowing with milk and honey, and things will turn around for the better for us. May the fresh anointing of the Lord continue to keep you, uplift you, uphold you and strengthen you. May the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength,” she prayed.
Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Boye said the delegation’s engagement with Mrs. Obasanjo marked the climax of the chapter’s roadshow, tagged “Owanbe Season 2 on the Road for WPRF.”
She explained that the campaign was designed to promote awareness of the international forum, mobilise support from relevant stakeholders and publicise the chapter’s signature end-of-year cultural event.
“Our message today is simple but powerful: Ogun NIPR is taking its culture, hospitality, diversity and the spirit of celebration to the road as we mobilise support for WPRF 2026,” Boye said.
She described the WPRF as a major global gathering of public relations and communication professionals, noting that Nigeria’s hosting of the event would provide an opportunity to showcase the country’s cultural richness and professional capacity to an international audience.
“The WPRF is the largest convergence of public relations and communication professionals from around the world. This is the first time Nigeria will be hosting it, and over 3,000 delegates will be in attendance.
“We are going to show the whole world what Nigeria has to offer. It’s going to be the boldest, biggest, brightest gathering ever in Nigeria,” she said.
Boye also said relevant security and border agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police Force, had made adequate preparations to ensure smooth passage for delegates arriving from within and outside the country.
In her remarks, the chairman of the WPRF Committee, Mrs. Taiwo Akintomide, expressed optimism that the 2026 edition would leave a lasting legacy for Nigeria and the public relations profession.
She said the forum would provide Nigeria with an opportunity to tell its story to the world while enabling local practitioners to exchange ideas and strengthen professional relationships with their international counterparts.
“The WPRF offers Nigeria an opportunity to tell its story to the world, while also giving Nigerian practitioners an opportunity to listen, learn, connect and contribute to the global PR conversation,” Akintomide said.
Source: Ogun NIPR