The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Plateau State Chapter, Rotn. Sonny Sunday Dung, has urged journalists, politicians and social media users to promote responsible communication and verify information ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Plateau State on November 14, 2026.
Dung said the presidential visit presents an opportunity for Plateau residents, irrespective of political and religious affiliations, to draw the attention of the Federal Government to critical issues affecting their livelihoods, particularly security, agriculture, education, employment and infrastructure.
He made the call in an article titled “The Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: Beyond the Expectation of Shared Prosperity,” in which he noted that the visit should go beyond political activities and generate meaningful conversations and practical commitments towards the development of the state.
According to him, the expectations surrounding the visit extend beyond APC supporters to farmers seeking security, traders looking for better business opportunities, unemployed graduates and parents hoping for improved educational opportunities for their children.
” A presidential visit means more than a ceremony. It represents an opportunity to bring their concerns closer to the centre of national attention,” he stated.
The NIPR chairman identified Plateau’s agricultural potential, mineral resources, tourism, educational institutions and hardworking population as critical assets that could drive economic growth, stressing that these opportunities require purposeful leadership, sound policies and effective implementation.
On security, Dung acknowledged efforts by the Tinubu and Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang administrations, but maintained that protecting lives and property must remain a shared responsibility of federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and communities.
He also called for stronger investment in agriculture, noting that Plateau’s potatoes, vegetables and other agricultural produce could contribute significantly to national food security if farmers had access to improved seedlings, irrigation, affordable financing, electricity, storage facilities and markets.
“Plateau’s potatoes, vegetables and other agricultural produce can contribute significantly to Nigeria’s food security. But farmers need more than fertile soil,” he said.
On youth development, Dung said initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) were important in expanding access to higher education but stressed the need to equip graduates with employable skills and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
He further identified reliable electricity, good roads, agro-processing facilities and rural infrastructure as essential requirements for transforming the state’s economic potential into improved livelihoods.
Addressing the media and political stakeholders, the NIPR chairman warned against the spread of misinformation, propaganda and inflammatory communication, urging citizens to verify reports, photographs, videos and political claims before sharing them.
He particularly charged journalists to uphold professional ethics, accuracy, fairness and editorial independence, noting that journalism should not be reduced to an instrument of partisan propaganda.
“Political actors, commentators and social media influencers must equally exercise restraint. We can disagree without insulting one another, criticise government without attacking people’s identities, and advocate our political interests without threatening the peace and unity of our communities,” he said.
Dung maintained that responsible public relations should focus on building trust, promoting mutual understanding and ensuring that communication serves the public interest.
He urged Plateau residents to demonstrate the hospitality and resilience for which the state is known, while calling on the Federal Government to translate the presidential visit into meaningful development partnerships.
“Ultimately, the success of this visit should not be measured only by the size of the crowd, or APC Presidential Rally, nor the grandeur of the reception or the excitement of the moment, but by the impact of good governance, proper communication, improved security, better opportunities, stronger infrastructure and a better quality of life for our people,” he added.
