The President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku says the upcoming National Spokespersons Summit being organised by the Institute in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is an opportunity for spokespersons to equip themselves with fresh skills that would help them perform their jobs better, describing it as first of its kind.

Dr. Ike Neliaku who stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday said highly experienced veterans from within and outside the country have been carefully selected as resource persons to share knowledge with participants at the two-day Summit coming of March 26—27 in Abuja.

With the theme, "Change Narratives, Change Society", the Summit will be declared opened by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

The NIPR boss underlined topics to be treated to include, "Emerging Trends in Crafting Press Statements, Press Briefings and Talks Shows", "Public Speaking Skills for 21st Century Spokespersons", "Artificial Intelligence Tools For Spokespersons", "Future Proofing Corporate Communications", "Global Trends In Managing Risks, Disaster and Crisis Communications", "Bridging Citizens-Government Communication" among others.

He further emphasized that high profile individuals will be part of this historic gathering of spokespersons.

"We will take goodwill message from various sectors, and from prominent Nigerians as well as the international community.

"They will include members of the two chambers of our National Assembly, governors, former governors, senators, former senators, leaders of professional organisations".

Also speaking, the Chairman of National Spokespersons Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Sule Ya'u Sule said time has come for the spokespersons and communication managers to update their skills to enable them perform effectively in line with the growing demands of the job.

"Gone are the days when the spokesperson can only issue a press statement. Now certain situations demand not even to speak to the press. Certain actions will take care of the situation.

"There are so many innovations now as far as this job is concerned. That is why we try to gather spokespersons so that they can be updated", he said.