The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has re-elected Emmanuel Ajufo as the president of the association at its 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abeokuta, Ogun State recently.
The association also re-elected other executive members as follows: Femi Ogala, vice president, Sola Akinsiku, general secretary, Churchill Nwagwu, assistant general secretary and Dupe Adewuyi, treasurer. Others are Babatunde Oyekan, publicity secretary, while George Onwujiariri, Babs Fagade, Omo Abunene and Felix Ehinkhumen were elected ex-officio.
Speaking at the event, Emmanuel Ajufo, said that the AGM is a special one, because it marks the end of his two-year tenure and the beginning of a new one, noting that the association is not yet near where it should be. “As we start the new tenure, we will be asking for even greater support and understanding from us all,” he explained.
Ajufo said: “The AGM was just to give a situation report of last year and this year to the Association. It was a way of explaining what transpired within one year, it was an account of our stewardship. For this particular AGM, there was also an election, where all the executives of the past two years returned unopposed, signifying that the administration performed well.”
“The Executive members have been wonderful and have worked tirelessly for the growth of our association in the last two years. Our members have been the strength behind all that we have done and we are indeed very grateful”, he said.
He added that the association honoured the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun as a result of his commitment to the development of commerce in the state and particularly his practical steps to encourage outdoor advertising.
He mentioned that the Governor’s appointment of a seasoned professional to head the signage agency in the state is a worthy step to improve the sector.
According to him, ‘’Other worthy stops include the appointment of a board for the agency and this was done without any push from the association, the appointment of an outdoor advertising practitioner into the board and approval of palliatives and reduction in the rates for different sizes of billboards to encourage members and part sponsorship of the 36th Annual General Meeting.’’
OAAN president also applauded the General Manager of Ogun State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Mr. Fola Onifade for the introduction of technology to the signage agency in such a short time which has greatly improved the ease of doing business in the agency.
He added that other state signage agencies have also exhibited better understanding of outdoor advertising business “and we hope that as we engage further we will ultimately be seen as partners in the development of the various states that we operate in.”
For the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, (APCON), Ajufo said it is a case of having a square peg in a square hole.
He said this explains why the sector is experiencing a renewed vigour in the council since the resumption of the current Registrar, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Ogun State Governor, the General Manager of Ogun State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Mr. Fola Onifade said OAAN’s positive impact over the years in business and economy across the country and society, in general, cannot be overemphasized.
He said the state under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun has promised the provision of a business-friendly environment by ensuring vital and creative outdoor advertising in the state.
“Also by constituting and inaugurating OAAN members into OGSAA, the first of its kind in the nation, this association has finally demonstrated the commitment in creating a highly cerebral and professional agency that will continually provide basic support in the industry in the state.”
He said OGSAA under the current administration has introduced a lot of new ideas in view of its exposure to technology in line with the state agenda to set up a state manager to manage the data base in Ogun State.
“Similarly, we have set up a mobile app through which participants in the industry can monitor the progress of their billboards from the comfort of their office and do all transactions without the need to get to the agency in Abeokuta.”
He however said that the greatest challenge facing the industry is the issue of the cluster which he said has been addressed in the state.
“We, therefore, assure you that prompt timing and creative idea will solve the problem of cluster permanently.
“You will agree with me that this administration has sufficiently demonstrated its resolve to provide the platform for businesses to strive.
“It is, therefore, my hope that your association will showcase this gesture by paying your dues promptly and effectively,” he said.
New members were inducted as Pre-Associate members while others were upgraded to full members at the event.
