…. Celebrates Him At 80
The Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has bestowed on Dr. Biodun Shobanjo the association’s highest honour, the ‘OAAN Legend’s Award.
The event held at Muson Centre in Lagos on Wednesday was also to celebrate the advertising guru’s birthday at 80.
The Legends award is the highest honour that OAAN bestows on individuals who has made significant and veritable contributions to the development of OOH media practice in Nigeria.
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Welcoming guests to the event, the President of OAAN, Mr. ‘Sola Akinsiku explained that the Legend’s Award is for individuals who, in the conviction of the executive council, acting on behalf of the board of trustees and the entire membership has made significant and veritable contributions to the development of out-of-home media practice in Nigeria.
He added: “The first one was bestowed on Chief Akinrolabu Akinbobola in 2020. We are now gathered to witness this great event today as we honour Dr. Abiodun Shobanjo with this prestigious award as our way of appreciating him for his innumerable contributions to the promotion of excellence and professionalism in our practice.
“It is indeed a very great delight for me to welcome you all to this great occasion during which OAAN honours Dr. Abiodun Shobanjo, one of the highly formidable pillars of modern advertising practice and a leading light in all aspects of OOH media practice in Nigeria with our Association’s prestigious and highly coveted Legend’s Award.”
Akinsiku disclosed further that the decision to organise the event within the month in which Dr. Shobanjo is celebrating his 80th birthday is such to also make it a memorable event both for him and for OAAN. “To us, the Award is a landmark achievement for the awardees, and it is only fit and proper that it is held to also coincide with a landmark event of today’s recipient.”
L-R (4th from Left): The President, Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) Mr. Sola Akinsiku; Chairman Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups (HASG) and President AAAN; Mr. Lanre Adisa, Representative of ARCON DG, Lady Susan Agbor; Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, the awardee, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, His wife; Chairman, OAAN Board of Trustees, Mr. Charles Chijide and President, Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Mrs. Tolulope Medebem at the event.
Listing some of the notable contributions of the awardee to the development of OOH media practice in Nigeria, Akinsiku said: “The establishment of Optimum Exposures Limited (1984) with the objective of bringing sanity, professionalism, excellence, and clean environment, which was why the company was name Klinsite then, into the practice.
He said: “Optimum Exposures was the first to venture into large format billboard platforms (especially unipole), and among the first companies to introduce LED platforms in the country, Dr. Shobanjo in his private capacity has also contributed immensely to the intellectual content of our practice, through speeches at our functions; and through capacity building programmes of Optimum Exposures that the entire industry has benefited from most significantly, among others.
These, he said and many more are also evident to all discerning observers of the marketing communication industry are some of the reasons for this award. “As we gather to honour this highly distinguished and thorough bred professional, I want to enjoin all of us to consistently and continuously be committed to issues that will enhance professionalism, excellence and sanity in the OOH media practice in Nigeria.
“Such will make the practice more fruitfully productive and profitably rewarding to all the relevant sectors.”
He assured the marketing communications community of OAAN’s commitment to making OOH media practice in Nigeria meet all international standards, environmental, engineering and safety that will continue to support the nation’s economy. “We sincerely count on your support in this regard.”
In his keynote speech, Dr. Abiola Salami, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council who spoke on the topic ‘Excellence and Professionalism: The Pillars of Sustainable Business Growth’ described growth as often measured in profit and market share, but sustainable growth is more profound because it encompasses growth that is economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sound.
He further added that “Sustainable business growth today does not come at the expense of future generations. It’s about creating value for stakeholders in a way that is ethical, equitable and enduring.
Salami mentioned that to achieve this growth, it lies in embedding excellence and professionalism in everything everyone does; “not what we do when we like, not what we do when it’s convenient, but what we do consistently.
Talking about the pillar of Professionalism, Salami said “Professionalism is the moral compass that guides engagements, fostering trust, integrity and profitability.
⁹“Through professionalism, our honorary has built partnerships, inspired wealth and set a standard in the practice. Integrity is the foundation of professionalism. Accountability is a part of professionalism and it is about owning actions and outcomes in operations.
“Respect and Courtesy is also important in professionalism. We need to Learn, unlearn, relearn. Excellence drives performance, while professionalism ensures it’s done the right way,” he explained.
Chairman of the event, Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, founder and Chairman of Juli Plc and pioneer President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy commended OAAN for putting the event together especially by honouring one of the Nigeria’s finest professionals in advertising. “I feel honored to be a part of this programme, I look around and see specialists in the advertising profession.”
He congratulated Dr. Shobanjo for the recognition by OAAN, adding that Nigeria is pleased to have someone who is working hard, who has done so well in advertising in the person of Dr. Abiodun Shobanjo.”
He further commended the awardee, describing him as a man of insight, foresight, and farsighted. “You’ve succeeded because you’re downright, forthright and indeed you’re alright; however, it’s all by the grace of God.”
The recipient of OAAN Legend’s award, Dr. Shobanjo, in his remarks, appreciated everyone present for the great honor conferred on him.
He said the OAAN award is the 85th award he has received in his career of over 50 years in advertising profession.
He also talked about his 80th birthday anniversary that was coming up later in the month and appreciated OAAN for celebrating him ahead with a birthday cake. “I want to thank you from the depth of my heart for this honour OAAN has given me, and I thank you for the sacrifices you all have made.”
Present at the occasion were members of OAAN Board of Trustees, led by the Chairman, Mr. Charles Chijide, Executive members of the association and other members.
Notable dignitaries present at the event include Mrs. Bunmi Oke, CEO Ladybird Advertising, Mr. Lanre Adisa, CEO Noah’s Ark Communications and President AAAN, Mrs. Tolulope Medebem, President, Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria(EXMAN), Mr. Bisi Olatilo, who was also the compere of the event, DG, ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo who was represented by Lady Susan Agbor amongst others.
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