By Afolabi Idowu
The African Public Relations Association President, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, popularly known as YBO, has called on stakeholders in the world to recognise the importance and value of PR in every organisation, business and nation at large.
The president made this call as part of celebrations for the first ever ‘World PR Day’ held recently, charging practitioners to push forward the agenda of PR in their daily dealings. ‘PR needs PR’ he said.
Whilst the World PR Day was inspired by a need to present a unified global agenda to make the world understand and better utilise PR, YBO calls on organisations, leaders, nations, policy and decision makers to never overlook the value that PR brings to the table. He further stressed that even though the profession is gaining grounds, many do not understand its core value, scope and functions. For instance, PR is different from journalism but both works together to achieve great results.
“Many still bear in mind that PR is only about press releases and organising events whilst those with an understanding of the weight PR professionals pull as a result of their expertise have yielded great results for themselves,” he said.
The APRA President also added that the decision to set aside a day for PR and a unified global agenda is indeed a welcome development stressing that, for the past 33 years, African Public Relations Association has been able to gather PR practitioners in Africa and recently across the globe under one roof to push forward the agenda of PR, the profession itself and discuss issues, trends and solutions to PR needs.
“I am delighted because this day speaks to the fact that our effort is yielding results in ways that will take the profession to the level where it belongs and better utilised by organisations, businesses, nations, brands, individuals, decision and policy makers.”
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