In preparation for this year’s annual conference of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) scheduled to hold in Calabar, Nigeria, the association has unveiled popular Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw as the brand ambassador and a logo identity to drive the event with the theme: ‘Leapfrogging Africa: The Role of Communication’, which comes up between May 24 and 27, 2016.
Unveiling the brand ambassador and the logo in Lagos recently, the Secretary-General of the Association, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, described the association as the central and most significant interaction platform for the practice of public relations in Africa since it was founded in 1975.
He explained that the association which is a non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit, was established to foster unity via interaction and exchange of ideas amongst public relations practitioners in Africa, while promoting social, political and economic integration on the continent, through communication.
According to him, some of the key intervention areas of the association include promoting the economic integration of Africa; promoting its infrastructural development and technological advancement, while it will also be at the vanguard of promoting good governance in the continent.
He explained that in the last few years, the Association had been able to initiate the relationship with the African Union Commission, to the extent that its 2013 conference was staged as part of the 50th anniversary of the continental organisation.
In her remarks, the new brand ambassador expressed delight at being made the face of the event, while pledging her readiness to play her own part in making the public relations gathering memorable.
She explained that the unstoppable Spirit of Africa resonates with her state adding that the state will not in promoting the spirit of Africa as a business and tourism destination on the continent.
Ms. Henshaw pledged the support of the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Dr. Benedict Ayade who is expected to grace the event.
APRA Calabar 2016 will parade an array of renowned speakers, including His Excellency Erastus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group, Bart de Vries, the President of International Public Relations Association (IPRA), Maxim Behar, President International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) and five (5) major PR networks namely; Weber Shandwick, Fleishman Hilliard, Hill & Knowton, Grayling and Burson Marsteller.
Other speakers include Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO of Burson Marsteller Africa who has well over 25 years of strategic communications experience advising clients across multiple sectors including privately-owned companies to multinationals, NGO’s and government bodies. The Conference is expected to draw attendees, speakers and facilitators from all over Africa, Europe, Asia and North America.
