By Seun Ibiyemi
Members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have applauded the ongoing transformation within the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), describing it as a significant step toward revitalising the nation’s transport infrastructure.
The commendation was made on Monday aboard an Abuja–Kaduna train, as NIPR members travelled to Kaduna for the Institute’s Annual General Meeting holding at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Murtala Square.
The train, which was filled to capacity with members of the Institute, provided an avenue for networking and professional engagement, as participants reconnected and interacted ahead of the conference.
Delegates from various state chapters, particularly from the southern region, had converged on Abuja before boarding the train alongside colleagues from the Federal Capital Territory.
Passengers expressed excitement during the journey, noting that the improved rail services offered not only convenience but also a platform for professional bonding. They commended NRC staff for their professionalism and efficiency, stating that the transformation reflects the impact of effective management.
The members, however, called on the Federal Government to sustain and expand investment in the railway sector, emphasising that such investments would yield quick economic returns.
They noted that railway infrastructure requires substantial funding for maintenance and expansion, warning that underfunding could undermine public confidence in the system.
Among dignitaries on board were the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesha, Oba Dr Jacob Adetayo Haastrup; President of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, Chief Tony Akiotu; and Dr Mohammed Kudur Abubakar, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the forthcoming World Public Relations Conference.
Others included Amb. Deborah Grace Awatte, Dr. Manasseh Umoette, Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, Dr. James Wisdom Abholimen, Dr. Ebiwari Wariowei, and Dr. Onyedikachi Stanley Onovo, representing various NIPR state chapters.
Oba Haastrup praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr Kayode Opeifa as Managing Director of the NRC, noting that the visible improvements within a year of his leadership demonstrate the corporation’s potential to drive economic development.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Lagos NIPR Chapter, Dr Ayetutu, said the decision to travel by train was also influenced by security concerns associated with road travel, adding that the move was a deliberate show of support for the NRC’s transformation efforts.
He urged the Federal Government to extend rail connectivity to other parts of the country, providing Nigerians with safer and more efficient transportation alternatives.Read Also:
The NRC delegation to the conference was led by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, alongside Mr Yinka Aderibigbe, Special Adviser to the Managing Director on Media and Communication.
The NIPR conference, scheduled to conclude on April 24, 2026, is expected to expose participants to emerging trends and innovations in public relations practice.
It also serves as a precursor to the World Public Relations Conference slated to hold in Abuja in November, where global practitioners will deliberate on the future of the profession amid evolving challenges.
