Kelechi OgbuForemost public relations specialist and communications manager for Chevron Nigeria Limited, Dr. Victor Anyaegbudike, has restated the importance of efficient public relations for organisations to survive the 21st century business environment.
Anyaegbudike made the assertion on Wednesday, 17 April during the 13th Annual Jacksonite Lecture Series of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State where he was the guest lecturer.
Delivering a lecture on the topic “Corporate Organisations, Public Relations and Crisis Management”, Anyaegbudike, a seasoned public relations expert stated that public relations today is the center of activities in any organisation as, without it, crisis would prevail over such entity.
He emphasized the need for public relations and crisis management to always go hand in hand at every point in time in a corporate organisation.
According to Anyaegbudike, “Public Relations (PR) and crisis management are integral components of a comprehensive reputation strategy for corporate organisations.
“While Public Relations focuses on proactively managing public perception and building strong foundations, crisis communication steps in during times of crisis to address and mitigate crisis threat.”
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Continuing, he said: “In today’s fast-paced interconnected world, organisations face numerous challenges that can potentially lead to crises. When a crisis strikes, effective communication becomes paramount to managing the situation and mitigating its impact on the organisation’s reputation and stakeholders.”
Drawing examples from several organisations like Facebook, Cracker Barrel, Pepsi, Starbucks among others, he highlighted how many companies have been saved from reputational damage by PR experts during crisis situations.
The Chevron’s communications manager stressed the need for PR experts to always upgrade their knowledge of problem solving techniques as that is the only way to maintain their relevance in this era of Artificial intelligence (AI) stating clearly that “mental vitality and intellectual curiosity is what makes a good PR personnel”
The annual Jacksonite series is making a return after two year due to the disruptions in the academic calendar. This year’s event is for three days, spanning 17th – 19th April 2024, comprising the annual lecture and international conference. The first day was the annual Jacksonite lecture while the second day is set aside for paper presentations.
Dignitaries present at the event on Wednesday included chairman of the occasion and former dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Nnanyelugo and his wife, Mrs. Emelda okoro; Head, Mass Communication Department, UNN, Prof. Joseph wogu; departmental staff adviser Dr Ike Ugbor; Igwe Ochiudo of Obukpa, Barr. R.S.N Eze; Chairman’ of the local organizing committee, Prof Michael Ukonu and a host of the department’s members of staff.
At the end of the event, Dr. Anyaegbudike was presented with an award of honor for his excellence in public relations and crisis management over the years.
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