The African Public Relations Association (APRA) is pleased to announce the election of Mr. Arik Karani as its new President. A seasoned communications expert with over 15 years of experience, Arik Karani is well-equipped to lead the association in promoting excellence in public relations across Africa.
Arik Karani is the Communication Lead for Community Resilience and Sustainability at the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit organization that hosts Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects. He is also the current President of the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK).
Throughout his career, Arik has advised governments, civil society organizations, NGOs, and private sector entities on stakeholder engagement, digital strategy, disinformation, and crisis communication, among other areas. His experience spans working with the World Bank Group, the Government of Kenya, Child Fund International, and Amref Health Africa.
As President of APRA, Arik Karani will leverage his expertise to promote the development of public relations in Africa, foster collaboration among professionals, and enhance the reputation of the industry.
“I am honoured to lead APRA and contribute to the growth of public relations in Africa,” said Arik Karani. “I look forward to working with our members and partners to promote excellence and make a positive impact on the continent.”
Alongside, Karani, Dr. Michele Mekeme will serve as the new Vice President while Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan will serve as the Secretary-General.
Dr Mekeme is a Senior Lecturer at the Advanced School of Mass Communication (ASMAC-Yaounde, Cameroon) and holds a Ph.D. from the Russian Friendship University. Fluent in Russian, Dr. Mekeme is a prolific researcher with expertise in public relations and communication, having published several papers in local and international journals.
Dr. Ibietan, is the Head of Media Relations Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He completed his doctorate programme in Communication from the North-West University in South Africa and a specialization in political communication, Ibietan is a member of various professional communication organizations and a fellow of both the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the African Public Relations Association (APRA).
