African PR Conference Set To Begin On Tuesday In Calabar

All is now set for the 2016 African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference. The event which is held in association with Association Union Commission (AUC) will take place between 24th to 27th May, 2016 at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), Cross River.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo will chair the event.

This year’s conference, which promises to be a perfect blend of business and pleasure, will feature reputable speakers and facilitators from across Africa, plenary sessions, keynote addresses, workshops, exhibitions and networking opportunities. While delegates will also savour Calabar’s unique cuisine, experience its cultural heritage, visit tourist destinations and enjoy film & musical shows.

The Conference themed, ‘Leapfrogging Africa: The Role of Communication’, and it is expected to bring together some of the best minds in Public Relations and Communication, numbering about 500 from across the African continent and beyond at the prestigious CICC – a world class facility and first of its kind in Africa.

Speaking about the conference, the Secretary General of the Association, Mr. Yomi Badejo Okusanya, said that the theme is deliberate because the key challenges of Africa lie in communication.

In view of this, organisers of the APRA 2016 conference have lined up distinguished and high network personalities across the globe as speakers. They include, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group; Erastus J.O. Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson, ACU; Lai Mohammed, Hon. Minster of Information, Nigeria; Dr. Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State; Peter Mutie, President, APRA; Bart-de-Vries, President, IPRA; Robyn De Villiers, CEO, Burson Marsteller Africa and Maxim Behar, President of ICCO.

Other speakers are John Ehiguese, President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN); Rotimi Oladele President Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); Jane Gitau, President, PRSK (Kenya); Chris Genasi, MD, Grayling Africa Ltd; Jill Hamilton, Regional Director, Werber Shandwick Africa. Soromidayo George, Corporate Affairs Director, Unilever Nigeria; Alexis Petje, Sales Manager, Rest of Africa Omico Groups; Elaine Same Kwami, President, IPR-Ghana; Yomi Badejo-Okunsanya, Secretary General, APRA; Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Executive Head, Marketing & Corporate Communication, Stanbic IBTC; Emeka Oparah, Director, Corporate Communication & CSR, Airtel Nigeria; Tokunbo George Taylor, MD, Hill+ Knowlton Strategies Nigeria; Francois Van DYK, Head of Operation, Omico Group, South Africa; Wole Adamolekun, Immediate Past Secretary General, APRA.

A pre-conference session for all public relations consultants will hold at the same venue on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm with the sub theme: The Business of PR: Managing a Successful Consultancy.