Three presidents, Ajufo, immediate past, Akinsiku, present and Chijide past.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), the sectorial body that advocates for the rights of practitioners and the proper practice of the profession of Out-of-Home advertising in Nigeria held its 38th annual general meeting in Asaba, Delta State from the 27th to the 28th of October.
The AGM was an opportunity for the association to discuss matters that are integral to the growth of the profession, announce the rechristening of the association, elect a new executive that will manage the affairs of the association for the next two years, chat a better stakeholders engagement process and award some deserving persons.
The two-day event witnessed various activities. A large number of the participants at the AGM visited the palace of the Obuzor of Ibusa on the morning of the 27th and met with his Royal Highness, Obi (Prof.) L. C. Nwoboshi where the group was warmly welcomed and blessed by the monarch. The Chairman of the Oshimilli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Innocent Ifeanyi Esenwezie was also at the visit given an award of excellence by OAAN for his performance at the Local Government Area.
A group photograph of members with the Obuzor of Ibusa, Obi (Prof) L C Nwoboshi.
The evening of the day witnessed the presentation of manifestos by the various contestants to positions into the executive arm of the association.
The annual general meeting (AGM) proper started on the 28th with representatives of several Ministries in the Delta State government, the representative of some other sectoral bodies in advertising as well as the chairman of the Oshimilli South Local Government Area in attendance.
The new president, Mr. Sola Akinsiku.
The opening speech was read by the president, Chief Emmanuel Ajufo who announced that the name of the association has been changed from the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) to the Out-Of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria, still (OAAN). He also said that “membership requirements have been greatly relaxed and that some young and dynamic members have as a result been attracted”.
Chief Ajufo added that the association now has a new rate card and asks members to be committed to it, he also highlited the progress made in prosecuting matters at the courts as he noted that the Kaduna state government has called for an out of court settlement on the case between them and OAAN and that the case against LASAA in Lagos State on 1, the interpretation of LASAA laws and 2, the case of concession are still pending.
The new president left in a warm handshake with the former president.
He detailed some other achievements of the executive members within his tenure as the launch and distribution of the OAAN book, production of the health safety manual, the inauguration of the Women in Out-Of-Home, the OOH Awards, positive engagements with Signage Agencies, improved industry/stakeholders relationship and the launch of the OAAN cooperative multi-purpose society for improved members welfare. Chief Ajufo also rued the loss of four members of the association which included his vice president.
A keynote address was presented by Mr. Dozie Mbanefo, an engineer and a practitioner in OOH advertising who made some poignant remarks about the current state of affairs for practitioners of Out-Of-Home Advertising in Nigeria. He noted that OOH advertisement can be used to measure the economy of any city and that practitioners should be encouraged by the government rather than putting up measures that seem to stifle the growth of their businesses.
Mr. Mbanefo decried the fact that government agencies only issue temporary approvals for Out-Of-Home Advertising structures even though some of these structures are valued way above some buildings with certificate of occupancy (C of O). There were many goodwill remarks from a lot of the participants indicating the importance of OOH advertising to society.
The election of members into the new executive council of the association followed with Mr. Sola Akinsiku coming in as the president, Omo Abunene as vice president, Churchill Nwangwu as secretary, Mrs. Adeola Odesanya as assistant secretary, Babatunde Fagade as publicity secretary, Chinweuba Nworgu as treasurer, Chief George Onwujiariri as ex-officio, Alfred Akhokia as ex-officio, Ambrose Nnodim as ex-officio, Thadeus Ukpe as ex-officio and Kayode Akanbi as ex-officio. One contestant did not show up at the AGM thereby forfeiting his chance to become a member of the executive council of the association.
The elected officials were at the gala night sworn in by the legal adviser to the association, Mr. Rufai Akanbi and at the hand over ceremony, the new president of the association, Mr. Sola Akinsiku took the first official step of introducing his cabinet. Some companies were inducted as new members of OAAN. A lot of members and other participants also walked away with various awards at the occasion.
In an exclusive interview after the ceremony, the new president of the association advised that “one should realise the capacity for patience in order to succeed in the business as he also advised the government to find ways of helping the industry and not see it as a cash cow. The Out-Of-Home industry is generating billions of Naira in revenue and so government should continue to nurture it. This is a private sector business that contributes so much to the economy and so the government should not destroy business, they should stop disturbing our investments”. The new president concluded.
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