Leadership, Crisis Management, Trust Take Centre Stage As DELCOM 2026 Concludes

By: Faith Ebireri

The third and final day of the Delta State Communication Workshop (DELCOM) 2026, 7th Edition, ended on a high note with participants receiving practical lessons on leadership communication, crisis management, reputation management, ethics and strategic communication.

The day’s sessions were led by the Chief Trainer, Prof. Presley Obukadata of Southern Delta University, who handled Leadership Communication and Crisis Management, covering the remaining modules designed to complete the three-day training.

The sessions focused on Crisis Communication and Reputation Management; Ethics, Information Integrity and Responsible Digital Communication; and Developing an Integrated Strategic Communication Framework.

Speaking on leadership communication, Prof. Obukadata emphasised that effective leadership goes beyond giving instructions. In his words “Leadership communication is fundamentally about communicating a shared vision, goals and objectives, while mobilising people towards a worthwhile cause.“

He stressed that leadership is not merely about occupying a position or sitting in a particular seat, but about influence, responsibility and the ability to inspire people towards a common purpose. Participants were encouraged to see leadership as a people-centred responsibility rather than simply a management function.

The training also examined the nature of crises and the importance of understanding how they are perceived by stakeholders. It identified several important functions of crisis communication, including fostering an understanding of the situation, encouraging appropriate behavioural responses, promoting trust and credibility, and creating opportunities for dialogue and alternative approaches to conflict resolution.

Speaking on reputation management, the training highlighted reputation as a perception or assessment of an individual, organisation or entity based on historical actions and expectations of future conduct. Participants were reminded that reputation is a valuable and multidimensional asset which can be shaped and amplified by social networks and echo chambers.

ALSO.READ: Delta Govt Deepens Support For NUJ, Moves To Provide Solar Power At Secretariat

Prof. Obukadata further challenged participants to prepare for crises before they occur by understanding public perception, managing the “mental noise” surrounding crises, building and maintaining trust, and using credible messengers.

Participants were reminded of core professional values, including advocacy, honesty, expertise, independence, loyalty and fairness, with particular emphasis on the responsibility of communicators to ensure that information released to the public maintains its integrity.

The session further challenged communicators to subject information and communication decisions to ethical scrutiny, asking fundamental questions such as whether the information is honest, fair and in the public interest.

Prof. Obukadata noted that communication is a public trust and urged practitioners to embrace responsible digital communication, stressing the importance of protecting credibility because once public trust is lost, rebuilding it can be difficult.

The interactive and engaging sessions challenged participants to think critically about practical, real-life situations, question previously held assumptions and develop new perspectives on leadership, crisis response, reputation and strategic communication.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to appreciate the trainers for their commitment and contribution to the three-day programme. The Chief Trainer, Prof. Presley Obukadata; Prof. Joyce Ogwezi; Dr Rita Abambam; and the Convener, Barr. Wilfred Latimore Oghenesivbe, JP, were honoured with Hollandis wrappers in recognition of their efforts.

Also present was Mr Jackson Ekwugum, Manager/Head of Communications, Government House, Delta State, who commended the Convener, Barr. Oghenesivbe, for his consistency in organising the DELCOM workshop annually.

Mr Ekwugum urged participants not to take the opportunity for granted, while praising the trainers for their dedication, professionalism and the impact of the training on participants.

As the three-day workshop drew to a close, certificates of participation were presented to trainers and participants. The programme ended with a colourful group photography session and networking among participants and facilitators.

The conclusion of the 7th Edition of DELCOM 2026 left participants with renewed perspectives on leadership, crisis preparedness, ethical communication, public trust and strategic communication, with many already anticipating the 8th Edition.