World PR Day: Ogun NIPR Honours FMC CMD, Hails Strategic Communication In Healthcare
ABEOKUTA – As Public Relations professionals across the globe commemorate the 2026 World Public Relations Day, the Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has spotlighted the critical role of strategic communication in healthcare management by honouring the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Dr. Sarah Titilola Ibiyemi, for her exemplary leadership and unwavering support for the profession.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the medical facility, the Chairman of the Ogun State Chapter of NIPR, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, described Public Relations as an indispensable management function that has become central to effective governance, institutional reputation, stakeholder engagement and public trust, particularly within the healthcare sector.
Mrs. Boye said the visit formed part of activities marking this year’s World Public Relations Day, with the theme, “The Golden Age of Strategic PR”, saying it was a global celebration dedicated to promoting ethical communication, transparency, accountability and trust-building between organisations and their stakeholders.
She noted that the choice of Dr. Ibiyemi for special recognition was informed not only by her emergence as the first female Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, but also by her demonstrated belief in the strategic value of professional Public Relations.
“Your appointment is a landmark achievement that speaks to excellence, resilience and visionary leadership. Beyond making history as the first woman to occupy this office, you have continued to demonstrate that effective leadership is strengthened by strategic communication and meaningful stakeholder engagement,” Mrs. Boye stated.
The Ogun NIPR Chairman praised Dr. Ibiyemi for elevating the status of Public Relations practitioners within the Federal Medical Centre through the appointment of a certified member of the Institute as the Head of its Public Relations Department, noting that the appointment, which she described as a practical demonstration of the value placed on the profession, she informed that it aligned with global best practices in strategic institutional management.
According to her, healthcare institutions are increasingly evaluated not only by the quality of clinical services they provide but also by how effectively they communicate with patients, employees, government agencies, development partners and the public at large, explaining that ethical communication has become one of the strongest drivers of institutional credibility, especially in sensitive sectors as healthcare, where public confidence can directly influence service delivery and organisational reputation.
“Public confidence is built on trust, and trust is built through communication. In today’s healthcare environment, quality medical services must be complemented by credible, timely and professional communication. This is why Public Relations has become an essential management function in every progressive institution,” she said.
Mrs. Boye added that World Public Relations Day provides an opportunity to remind leaders in both the public and private sectors that sustainable institutions are built on transparency, accountability and consistent stakeholder engagement.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Dr. Sarah Titilola Ibiyemi thanked the delegation for the honour and pledged her continued support for initiatives that promote professionalism, ethical communication and institutional excellence, acknowledging that she understands the importance of effective Public Relations in strengthening public confidence in healthcare institutions and commended the Ogun State Chapter of NIPR for advancing professional standards through advocacy, capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
While listing some of the achievements of the Hospital, which she said was the First medical center in Nigeria to include Zero maternal mortality and improved Pharmaceutical services, Dr Ibiyemi called on the Institute and its members to partner with the institution in ensuring adequate service delivery and improved public perception, emphasizing that it would go a long way in playing a remedial role of boosting public trust in its services.
In Commemoration of the year 2026 World Public Relations Day, the Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations on its part remains committed to advancing ethical communication, strengthening institutions through strategic stakeholder engagement and promoting Public Relations as a vital tool for good governance, sustainable development and national progress.
