The Communications team of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) has joined the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Nigeria Chapter under the corporate membership status, becoming one of a growing number of companies with IABC corporate membership.

The five-person AUN Communications Team that joined IABC in late December 2013 comprises Mr. Dan Okereke, Executive Director, Communications, and his colleagues: Yusuf Mohammed, Innocent Nwobodo, Adeiza Atureta, and O. Omorogiuwa.

Corporate membership of the IABC is open to a group of five or more colleagues working in the same organisation. The AUN team signed as bronze corporate members, entitling them to reduced membership dues as well as discounts on major events such as the IABC World Conference coming up in June in Toronto, Canada as well as other leadership and professional development courses.

IABC Nigeria Chapter President Chido Nwakanma warmly welcomed the Yola-based team of communication professionals. In a message to the AUN team, Nwakanma said: “You join IABC at a time of great positive ferment as we seek to increase the velocity of programmes and activities for the benefit of members as well as to impact the leadership scene in our shores. We are certain to take cognisance of the membership in AUN as we plan programmes for 2014.”

Nwakanma said IABC Nigeria had outlined a number of activities that would enrich the careers of members including the Quarterly CEO Breakfast Forum first held in December 2013. Another session of the forum would hold in February 2014.

Okereke, the AUN Communications Director, was equally enthusiastic about the opportunities, saying: “AUN is a world-class, multi-functional Development University offering American-style education in a campus whose ecosystem is tended by students, staff and faculty from over 36 countries, a unique Nigerian scholastic brand. Partnering with the IABC under Mr. Nwakanma’s dynamic leadership will further open linkages for interaction, recruitment and professional training.”

IABC is a global gathering of professionals in various fields of the broad communications function including public relations, editing, corporate communications, public affairs, investor relations, human resource management, employee communications, marketing communication, training, advertising, photography and video production.

Founded in 1972 in the United States, IABC provides a professional network of about 15 000 members in over 80 countries.

•Photo shows IABC Nigeria President Chido Nwakanma.