🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Minister of Information and National Orientation congratulates Omoniyi Ibietan on re-election as African Public Relations Association Secretary-General
via Punch Nigeria9 min read
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has congratulated Omoniyi Ibietan on his re-election as Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association APRA. The Minister stated that Ibietan's re-election is a recognition of his professionalism, dedication, and contributions to the public relations profession across Africa. Ibietan was re-elected during the APRA General Assembly in Swakopmund, Namibia, where Arik Karani of Kenya became President and Professor Michele Mekeme of Cameroon was elected Vice-President. Idris, in a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, noted that the election outcome reflects the confidence public relations professionals across Africa have in Ibietan's leadership and capacity to advance the association's vision. The Minister expressed optimism that Ibietan will continue to provide purposeful leadership and support APRA's efforts to promote ethical communication and Africa's digital transformation agenda. He also commended APRA for its commitment to strengthening the public relations profession and promoting ethical communication across Africa, adding that Nigeria looks forward to hosting the 37th APRA Annual Conference alongside the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja later this year. Founded in 1975, APRA is the umbrella body for public relations practitioners across Africa, promoting professional excellence, ethical communication, and collaboration among communication professionals.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Hoffenheim striker Gift Orban is reportedly close to joining newly promoted Turkish club Amedspor on a loan deal, according to German outlet Kicker. Orban recently returned to Hoffenheim after a loan spell at Italian club Hellas Verona, where he scored seven goals in the first half of the season but saw his form decline later. Verona chose not to make his move permanent, and Hoffenheim also does not have him in their plans for the upcoming season. Orban's time at Hoffenheim, after joining from Olympique Lyonnais for €9m in January 2025, also saw a strong start followed by a dip in performance. Hoffenheim received a €500,000 loan fee from Verona and is now set to receive an additional €1m loan fee from Amedspor for the 2026/27 campaign. The deal with Amedspor reportedly includes an obligation to buy, which would be triggered if Orban meets a specific appearance threshold, leading to a permanent transfer of approximately €4m to the Turkish Süper Lig club.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expressed surprise over Kelechi Iheanacho's decision to join Turkish club Bursaspor, stating he believed an agreement had been reached for the Nigerian striker to remain with the Scottish champions. Iheanacho, who had an impressive loan spell with Celtic, scoring nine goals and contributing to a domestic double, completed a free transfer to the Turkish second-tier club last week. O'Neill admitted he was taken aback, having been under the impression that Iheanacho had agreed to stay. Negotiations for an extended stay reportedly broke down after Iheanacho's representatives sought a significantly improved deal, believed to be close to £50,000 per week, compared to Celtic's offer of around £12,000 per week with bonuses up to £17,000. Iheanacho ultimately chose Bursaspor, a historic Turkish club, after they swiftly concluded negotiations and presented a long-term sporting project aimed at returning to the Turkish Super Lig.
The Lagos State Government has urged parents and caregivers to adopt positive parenting practices to address rising social issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, bullying, and juvenile delinquency. Bolaji Dada, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, emphasized this during a parenting program in Lagos, highlighting that many social problems stem from poor family relationships. She stressed that the family is the primary institution where children learn values, attitudes, and character, and that intentional parenting is crucial for instilling discipline, empathy, respect, and emotional stability. Dada also expressed concern about technology's influence on youth, urging parents to monitor online activities and maintain open communication. Bose Ironsi, Executive Director of the Women’s Rights and Health Project, advocated for parenting built on trust, communication, and mutual respect, cautioning against harsh methods. Rianat Onigbanjo, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, reiterated that the family is a child's first classroom for learning values like love, discipline, and integrity. The program provided practical guidance and information on support services available through various government and non-governmental organizations.