NPRW 2026: APRA President, Food Security Expert Hail Nigeria’s Reforms, Kaduna’s Development Strides
The President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), Arik Karani, and South African agribusiness expert, Brylyne Chitsunge
, have commended Nigeria and Kaduna State for visible progress in governance, infrastructure, and policy direction.
The duo spoke at the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna, held shortly after the inauguration of the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Government House.
Karani, who led a delegation of international participants from Tanzania, Kenya, and the United States, described his experience entering Nigeria as seamless and efficient, citing improvements in visa processing and airport operations.
“I’m happy to report that when I flew in with my team, our visa processing took just 24 hours. We applied online and got approval within that timeframe,” he said.
He added that his arrival at Lagos airport reflected operational efficiency.
“It took me 16 minutes to disembark, pass through immigration, collect my baggage, and clear customs. That tells you something—Nigeria is working. Immigration is working. Customs is working. The airports are working,” Karani stated.
He also praised Kaduna’s infrastructure, particularly its airport and urban development, noting the city’s readiness to host international events.
“It was amazing to arrive in Kaduna and see an airport that is functional, handling both international and domestic arrivals. Our stay here has been nothing short of impressive,” he said.
Karani urged Nigerians, especially communication professionals, to project a more balanced national image.
“You are the custodians of this story. Tell it boldly—that Nigeria is safe, Kaduna is safe, and the country is open for business, tourism, and global engagement,” he added.
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Delivering the keynote address, Brylyne Chitsunge commended Nigeria’s policy efforts on food security but stressed the need to bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
“Nigeria does not suffer from a shortage of policies on food security. It suffers from a gap between intention and lived reality,” she said.
According to her, effective implementation depends on communication, collaboration, and trust across the agricultural value chain.
“Policy only matters when it is understood, trusted, and acted upon. Implementation is what feeds people,” she noted.
Drawing from her experience as a commercia farmer and Pan-African advocate, Chitsunge highlighted Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential.
“Nigeria, you’ve got all it takes. There is no reason why Africa should suffer hunger,” she declared.
She, however, identified structural challenges, including inconsistencies in policy implementation across states and bottlenecks in agricultural logistics and trade.
Chitsunge also recounted her experience exporting livestock into Nigeria, acknowledging regulatory hurdles while expressing optimism about ongoing reforms.
The agribusiness leader called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and other African countries through knowledge exchange, technical partnerships, and innovation.
“We must embrace technology—from drone farming to soil analysis and climate intelligence. Agriculture today is not about subsistence; it is about innovation, scale, and sustainability,” she said.
She further emphasised the need to empower women and youth, describing them as critical drivers of transformation in Africa’s food systems.
Both speakers agreed that strategic communication remains key to sustaining reforms and unlocking Nigeria’s full potential.
“Public relations is the bridge between policy and the people,” Chitsunge concluded.
The NPRW 2026, hosted in Kaduna, brought together policymakers, communication experts, and international stakeholders to explore the role of public relations in advancing governance, with a focus on translating food security policies into tangible outcomes for citizens.
By PRNigeria
