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IPRA, APRA, DigitalPR-Wire Endorse BEEC Communications Congress
Business Education Examinations Council (BEEC), globally recognized leader in human resource development & learning, has received DigitalPR-Wire support, a standard on-demand online PR and social media communication platform in Africa, for a three-day Digital Public Relations Congress for practitioners in the Communications space.
The training taking place in Lagos from 5th-8th June, 2017 at the Gallery Hall, University of Lagos, Nigeria, has also been endorsed by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) and the African Public Relations Association (APRA).
Professor Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigerian, Communication Commission (NCC), has been invited as the Special Guest of Honour and to open the Digital Communications Congress, Telecom and ICT Exhibition, under the theme: “Maximizing the Power of Digital Communication and On-Line Public Relations in a Changing World”.
DR Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is also a special guest of Honour and will deliver keynote address; Francois Van Dyk, Senior International Digital Communication Consultant will also speak at the Congress on “Maximizing the Power of Digital Public Relations &Communication in a changing world”, while Celestine Achi, founder of Cihan Group will lead discussants on the presentation, “Maximizing the Power of Digital Public Relations & Communication in a changing world.” This gives us the opportunity to market our DigitalPR Wire platform at the congress.
Mr. Mike Okereke, president of the Council, said that Digital Communication is increasingly the driving force that is propelling the efficient management of the Public and Private sectors.
With emphasizes on telecommunication and ICT, Mr. Okereke said that the sectors, are growing around the globe.
“For example in Nigeria, where the GSM service was rolled out 15years ago, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC\’s) statistics shows that connected telephones in Nigeria is now 216 million while active lines in the country is now over 149 million made up of GSM lines and CDMA fixed wireless service. During the period under review, 30,000 career jobs were created and the telecom sector has grown to US$38 Billion”, the BEEC President said, “Digital Communication occupies the centre stage in the effective running of the Public & Private sector. Hence, the need to update skills in digital communication & online Public Relations Strategy”.
He said that the Digital Communication and Telecommunication Exhibition will the highlight of the Congress and will be held at the Hall, Conference Centre, the University of Lagos, Lagos from 5 to 8 June, 2017 and endorsed by the African Public Relations Association and the International Public Relations Association.
The Congress is designed for Telecom Executives and Officials, Directors of Public Relations, Heads of Public Relations, Senior Public Relations Managers, Public Relation officials, Telecommunication Managers, Marketing Managers, Advertising Managers, ICT Managers and Media Managers in the Public and Private sectors.
The Congress, BEEC revealed, is specially designed to give essential knowledge and update participants on current trend in on-line Communication in a changing world; update participants in on-line Marketing Communication Strategy; leverage management best practice in ICT; leverage the optimization of the search engine and enhance skills in email Marketing & Communication Strategy and on-line.
The platform will also inundate practitioners/participants on Public Relations Strategy; Review viral Marketing Communication Strategy; Review types of on-line advertising; Understand the digital metrics; Review regulations and code of practice in Digital Communication; and Public Relations and Marketing Functions.
Specifically, it will highlight the place of Digital communication and on-line Public Relations in today’s business environment.
On the exhibition aspect of the show, Mr. Okereke said, “The exhibition is designed to showcase the advances that have been made in the Telecom Industry and ICT in enhancing Digital Communication. It will promote the products and services offered by the Telecom and ICT companies.
Also speaking, Mr. Celestine Achi, founder of DigitalPR-Wire, described the forthcoming Congress and Exhibition as timely and will offer several opportunities for PR Practitioners to be inundated on the technological evolution in the industry especially in the online space.
“BEEC Communications and Digital PR Congress and Exhibition is the place to be. We are happy about this partnership, because it creates the avenue for PR firms and practitioners to understand the dynamics of the industry and what the future holds.
‘We are ready to unleash our DigitalPR-Wire to make this happen. This is not the time for PR firms to relax because clients are beginning to ask critical questions like how PR impact their Return-On-Investments (RoI). Any Firm not conversant with the techniques will soon run out of ideas,” Mr. Achi said.
Atte Ayodeji, a Nigerian computer scientist,has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair follicles during hair transplant procedures, an innovation that earned him the Best Innovative Technology award.
Atte Ayodeji
Ayodeji also graduated with a Distinction in his Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from Birmingham City University on Friday, adding another milestone to an impressive academic year.
Beyond his award-winning hair transplant innovation, the Nigerian researcher developed a system and framework on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
His dissertation received a silver award at the PGXPO2026 Winter, further highlighting the impact of his research in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Sunday Dare, special adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Tinubu, celebrated Ayodeji’s achievements in a post on X, recalling how he first met him in 2019 during his National Youth Service.
“In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.”
Highlighting Ayodeji’s recent accomplishments, Dare congratulated him saying, “Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you!”
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power, has said that the federal government plans to end power sector subsidies from 2027 and that there are no immediate plans for tariff increases.
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power
The minister told journalists during the media interactive session at the weekend that the government has announced plans to phase out electricity subsidy payments from 2027 as part of efforts to address mounting liabilities in the power sector.
He explained that the planned removal forms part of the broader reforms aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector, while tackling the financial challenges confronting the industry.
According to the minister, despite the planned subsidy withdrawal, there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, reassuring consumers that the government is not considering a tariff hike in the short term.
Patience Okala, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office has urged African countries to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on adding value to its natural resources if it is to fully harness the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She stated this on Thursday at the Streamsowers & Köhn 20th Anniversary Business Forum, where she stressed that value addition and beneficiation are essential to Africa’s industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, she said the AfCFTA goes beyond the elimination of tariffs, serving as a framework for industrialisation, value addition, and job creation across the continent.
“AfCFTA is not only about tariffs; it is also about value addition. Africa has to stop exporting raw materials. We need to add value and ensure that beneficiation is done on the continent,” she said.
Okala also said Africa’s economic transformation would depend on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA rather than on the signing of trade agreements alone.
“We have moved beyond negotiations. The success of AfCFTA will be measured by the extent to which businesses can access new markets, trade seamlessly across borders, and benefit from the opportunities created by the agreement,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria had intensified efforts to implement the agreement under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, including the development of simplified AfCFTA guides in six languages to help businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities under the trade pact.
Okala called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, and the private sector to eliminate barriers to trade and investment and build a truly integrated African market.
“As we move from policy to implementation, our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities created by AfCFTA become practical realities for businesses, particularly MSMEs, women-owned enterprises, and young entrepreneurs across the continent,” she said.
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