First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is partnering with the African Public Relations Association (APRA) to foster Africa’s growth and development through the 31^st Annual Conference of the association tagged ‘APRA Rwanda 2019’.

APRA Rwanda 2019 is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from May 13-17, 2019 at the Serena Hotel and delivering the keynote address will be the President of the Republic of Rwanda, HE Paul Kagame.

The immediate past President of Ghana, HE John Dramani Mahama will chair the opening ceremony amongst other dignitaries which include: the Deputy Chairperson of African Union Commission (AUC), Ambassador Kwesi Quartey and Media mogul, CEO & Publisher of Ovation Magazine International, Chief Dele Momodu.

As part of FirstBank’s drive for national development, especially professional capacity building, the bank which is commemorating its 125 years of impact woven into the fabric of society, has announced its partnership on the 2019 APRA Rwanda Conference.

This partnership is one of the bank’s initiatives to promote professional development as it recognises the role of APRA in setting standards of public relations practice in Africa and beyond.

According to Mrs Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, the  partnership with the African Public Relations Association would positively project the world’s perception of Africa. In response to this partnership, the President of APRA, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya commended FirstBank for the partnership and congratulated the Bank on the celebration of its 125^th Anniversary.

He added that going by the theme of the conference – ‘Africa and Storytelling: Changing the Narrative’, “there is no better platform for a heritage brand such as FirstBank to tell its brand story than in the gathering of public relations practitioners across the region.

No doubt, FirstBank shares our goal in portraying a positive Africa through its consistent relationship that focuses on exemplary leadership which is very crucial to the growth and development of our continent”.

He charged stakeholders to join APRA to continue her longstanding quest to change Africa’s narrative by further defining strategies for driving such change.

Parading an enviable array of speakers and facilitators,the APRA Secretary-General, Jane Gitau said the 31^st edition will feature the 3^rd SABRE Awards Africa and Innovation Summit which is holding outside South Africa for the first time. Both events are in partnership with the renowned Holmes Report.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience the rich culture of Rwanda and its transformation as one of the fast developing countries in Africa.

APRA Rwanda 2019 is endorsed by the International Public Relation Association (IPRA), International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), African Union Commission (AUC), Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), Public Relations Association of Rwanda (PRAR) and National Associations across Africa.

APRA Rwanda 2019 promises to be uniquely different offering a perfect blend of business and pleasure as a spouse package is introduced for delegates who want their spouse to visit Rwanda as well