Prof. Ndukwe-Okafor Champions Strategic Communication as a Tool for Citizen Empowerment and Social Accountability on World PR Day

On the 16th of July 2025, communicators worldwide paused to mark World Public Relations Day, a celebration of the power of strategic communication in shaping societies. This year, The Newmark Group Limited in partnership with the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), hosted a conference which was more than a commemoration – it was a call to action. Under the theme, “Bridging the Digital Divide with Influence: Strategic Communications in a Polarised World,” people from public relations, law enforcement, technology, education, and government sectors came together in Lagos to spotlight how strategic communication can restore trust, shape narratives, and influence leadership in an increasingly divided world.

Representing Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), our Executive Director, Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, joined a distinguished panel on the theme “Influence for the People: Strategic Communication as a  Tool for Citizen Empowerment and Social Accountability” 

Alongside co-panelists, Melanie Ayoola (Group Executive Director, Tranter IT), Mabel Adeteye (Head of Brands and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank) and, Tomilola Mustapha (Manager, Africa Retail Academy, Lagos Business School), Prof Ndukwe-Okafor  spotlighted communication not just as a corporate tool, but as a public good. In her words: “How we communicate across different levels of society is extremely important. Without trust, we would be of no service to the consumers.”

A landmark moment at the event was the unveiling of the PRGN Influence Insights Report by Bill Southard, President and CEO of Southard Communications. Drawn from the voices of 546 business leaders across more than 40 countries, the report revealed that:

• 89% of global leaders now consider brand influence critical to organizational success.
• 67% expect its importance to grow even further in the next 3–5 years.
• Trust and reputation remain the anchors of brand value.
• Digital presence (78%) and social media (76%) are now the strongest shapers of brand influence.

Most notably, employees, not politicians or influencers, are seen as the most trusted voices of any brand.

These insights reinforced what CADEF has continued to exemplify, that trust remains irreplaceable.

At CADEF, our mission is rooted in empowering consumers through transparency, fairness, and accountability, and strategic communication is one of the strongest tools to achieve this. When citizens understand, trust, and engage with the systems around them, they can demand better outcomes, whether in food systems, digital access, or consumer protection.

Stay tuned for more updates on CADEF’s impact in Citizen Empowerment and Social Accountability