The Rivers State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dennis Lesor Reuben, has identified public relations as a vital tool for fostering goodwill and strengthening mutual relationships between security agencies and the communities they serve.
Lesor Reuben stated this when the Executive Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Rivers State Chapter, paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Port Harcourt.
The NSCDC Commandant said stronger collaboration between the Corps and NIPR would help members of the public better understand the core responsibilities of the Corps, including the protection of lives and property, peacebuilding and conflict resolution in civil matters.
He noted that many members of the public were unaware of the Corps’ role in peace and conflict resolution and urged them to take advantage of the service to resolve civil disputes.
Earlier, the Chairman of NIPR Rivers State Chapter, Reverend Francis Asuk, said the visit was aimed at establishing areas of partnership and collaboration with the Commandant, who recently resumed duties in the state.
Represented by the Vice Chairman of the chapter, Parry Saroh-Benson, Asuk also called for capacity-building programmes for officers and men of the Corps, particularly those in public relations, noting that they require professional communication skills to effectively carry out their duties.
He further appealed to the Commandant to allow members of the Corps, especially personnel in the Public Relations Unit, to identify and regularise their membership with the institute to enable them access relevant training and professional knowledge.
The NIPR chairman also invited the NSCDC Commandant to the upcoming World Public Relations Conference scheduled to hold in Abuja in November 2026.
He said public relations professionals from more than 126 countries are expected to attend the conference to chart a new course for the practice of public relations.
