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Nigerian, Kenyan Elected President, Secretary General of APRA

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(L-r): Peter Mutie, outgoing president, African Public Relations Association (APRA) presenting the newly elected President Yomi Badejo-Okusanya to delegates, while Bart de Vries, president, International Public relations Association (IPRA) looks on at the just concluded APRA Calabar 2016, Cross Rivers State.
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Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, a strategic communications expert and PR practitioner has been elected President of Africa Public Relations Association (APRA), the continent’s Public Relations professional regulatory body.

The election, conducted by the Governing Council of APRA, also saw Mrs. Jane Gitau of Kenya emerged as Secretary General. It climaxed activities marking the 28th edition of APRA International Conference tagged APRA Calabar 2016.

The new APRA Executive was immediately inaugurated by the Council led by the outgoing President Mr. Peter Mutie from Kenya, and witnessed by Ms. Christina Chima, outgoing Vice President from Zimbabwe; Mr. Bart de Vries, President of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA); and delegates from various part of the continent also witnessed the transition.

According to Mutie, other committee’s positions zoned to other regions in the continent will be made public at a later date. The executive committee will serve for two years with a maximum of two terms.

The new President, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya is a known name in the practice and development of the public relations profession in Nigeria and in Africa. Prior to his emergence as President, he was the Secretary General of APRA. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and past Chairman, NIPR, Lagos State Chapter.

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YBO as he is fondly called by friends and associates had also served on the council of NIPR at national level. He is a consummate public relations practitioner and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of one of Nigeria’s foremost and largest strategic communications firms, CMC Connect Group.

He has over two decades of work experience in integrated marketing communications coupled with the edge of pioneering perception management business in the Nigeria’s communications market. He twice emerged PR Personality of the year (NIPR Golden Eagle Award, 2010, 2011).

On the other hand, the Secretary General, Jane Gitau is currently the President of Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK). She has built a strong professional and academic career in the field of communications with special emphasis in communications strategy development, public relations, writing and editing.

In November 2015, under her leadership, the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) successfully delivered over 800 delegates to the first ever World Conference on Communications and Public Relations in Emerging Economies (WCPREE) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Jane is a recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship awarded by the British Government to talented scholars.

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APRA, formerly known as the Federation for African Public Relations (FAPRA) is a non-government, non-political, non-profit making professional association, established to foster unity, via interaction and exchange of ideas amongst public relations practitioners in Africa.

 The continental PR body in agreement with the African Union, is geared towards selling Positive Africa through the instrumentality of the public relations profession while promoting social, political and economic integration on the continent.

This year’s edition of APRA’s annual International Conference tagged APRA Calabar 2016, and themed Leapfrogging Africa: The Role of Communication, had industry leaders across the globe in attendance. Special guests and speakers include: President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR who sent a personally signed goodwill message; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President/CEO, Dangote Group (represented); Mr. Maxim Behar, President, International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO); Mr Bart de Vries, President International Public Relations Association (IPRA); Dr. Rotimi Oladele, President Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); and Mr. Justin Green, Managing Director, Wake Up Communications, and former President of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland, among others.

 

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Africa Prudential Unveils Digital Growth Strategy

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Africa Prudential Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation after posting another strong half-year financial performance, driven by robust growth in its core registrar business, technology-driven solutions and increased activity in Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking during the company’s H1 2026 Investor Call on Tuesday, the management outlined plans to deepen revenue diversification and accelerate innovation as part of efforts to reduce reliance on interest income and strengthen long-term profitability.

The company reported gross earnings of ₦4.28 billion for the first half of 2026, representing a 27 per cent increase from ₦3.34 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Profit before tax rose by 22 per cent to ₦2.41 billion, while profit after tax climbed 18 per cent to ₦1.59 billion.

Net operating income also increased by 27 per cent to ₦4.21 billion, while total assets grew by 13 per cent to ₦46.53 billion. Shareholders’ funds similarly rose by 13 per cent to ₦12.52 billion.

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According to the company, the impressive performance was driven by sustained growth in its registrar business, increased corporate actions across the Nigerian capital market, stronger treasury earnings supported by the prevailing interest rate environment and rising adoption of its technology-enabled products and services.African Mineral Wealth

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Catherine Nwosu, said Africa Prudential is steadily evolving from a traditional share registrar into a diversified technology and business solutions provider serving the broader capital market ecosystem.

Addressing concerns from investors about the sustainability of earnings if interest rates decline, Nwosu said the company was deliberately expanding its non-interest income sources.

“Interest rates influence our treasury income positively, but that is why we are deliberately diversifying our revenue streams. Our strategy is to grow recurring fee-based business lines such as our digital solutions, Know Your Customer (KYC) services, AGM technology, probate services and the SabiVest mobile app. Over time, this will reduce our reliance on interest income and create a more balanced and resilient earnings mix,” she said.

She noted that increasing activity in the Nigerian capital market presents fresh opportunities for technology-driven solutions.

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“With capital market activity nearly doubling over the past year, demand for seamless digital investor experiences, improved market efficiency and stronger compliance standards continues to grow. We are investing in technology-enabled solutions that position us to capitalise on these opportunities while delivering sustainable value to our shareholders,” she added.

Looking ahead, the company identified five strategic priorities for the second half of 2026, including driving sustainable growth through its core registrar business and new revenue streams, accelerating technology-led product innovation, strengthening brand leadership, investing in talent development and reinforcing corporate governance.

The investor call attracted institutional investors, shareholders, analysts, regulators and other capital market stakeholders, reflecting strong interest in Africa Prudential’s earnings outlook, revenue diversification strategy and long-term growth plans.

 

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IHS Nigeria Donates Business-Support Equipment to Empower People with Disabilities in Abuja Community

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Communications infrastructure company, IHS Nigeria, has donated business support equipment to empower people with disabilities within the Karonmajiji community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This is part of the company’s commitment to drive inclusive community development and sustainable livelihood support under its Project Empower initiative.

The equipment was distributed to beneficiaries during a ceremony held in the community on Monday, July 27. The initiative was conceived following a community needs assessment and is designed to empower active traders by providing them with business tools rather than cash grants, thereby strengthening their businesses and ensuring long-term economic impact and accountability.

Speaking at the event, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to advancing inclusive development by equipping persons with disabilities with the tools and opportunities needed to build resilient livelihoods.

She explained that rather than providing short-term financial assistance, IHS Nigeria adopted an asset-based approach by donating 50 pieces of business support equipment, including sewing machines, freezers, generators and hairdressing kits, to the selected beneficiaries.

According to her, the intervention is designed to create lasting value by supporting entrepreneurship, promoting self-reliance and strengthening household incomes, while contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

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In his opening remarks, the Chief of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammed Katsina, represented by the Secretary of the Community, Alhaji Mohammed Dantani commended IHS Nigeria for its commitment to empowering persons with disabilities through practical and sustainable interventions.

He described the initiative as a demonstration of genuine partnership with the community and expressed appreciation for the company’s continued engagement with the Association, noting that the donation of the equipment was a significant investment in improving the livelihoods of persons with disabilities and would create meaningful economic opportunities for the beneficiaries and their families.

The event brought together traditional rulers, government representatives, leaders and members of the Karonmajiji Disabled Community Association, implementing partners, including Field of Skills and Dreams Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship (FSD VTE) Training Institute and other community stakeholders, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting inclusion and sustainable community development.

Project Empower reinforces IHS Nigeria’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through strategic partnerships that promote economic inclusion, strengthen community resilience and create opportunities for underserved communities.

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CIBN, ACAMB Push for Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment

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The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) and the Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) have enjoined banks to further deepen and prioritize financial inclusion, women’s empowerment and sustained growth through strategic mandates and frameworks, aimed at closing the financial gap and empowering more small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners.

Both organisations made this call during a courtesy visit to the newly invested 24th President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Dele Alabi, Ph.D, FCIB, as part of plans to congratulate him on his investiture as well as seek a stronger alliance between both bodies.

The visit followed Alabi’s investiture where he unveiled his “IMPACT” Vision, themed “Consolidating Our Local Impact, Enhancing Our Global Relevance.”

The vision rests on six pillars: Inclusion across geographic, gender, and generational lines; Membership growth and quality; Professionalism and ethics; Accountability; Competencies and skills development; Technology, automation, and innovation. Other areas of shared interest, include women empowerment, financial inclusion and literacy, as well as MSME clinics, all of which are top on his agenda.

Alabi explained that under him, the institute will be prioritising financial inclusion and women empowerment, because of its realisation that women  are often the primary financial managers and caregivers in families. Access to savings, micro-credit, and insurance acts as a safety net during crisis and allows them to significantly improve living conditions.

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He added that CIBN would be happy to drive joint knowledge sharing and exchange sessions with CBN and ACAMB across various platforms. “Educating the public through public awareness programmes, with ACAMB as the rallying point, is central to what we do,” he noted.

ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, who led the delegation, spoke in unison with the CIBN president, as he noted that, closing the inbalances in financial access help economies grow faster, reduces inequality, and encourages greater civic participation by all.

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