The Out Of Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has elected new executives to steer the leadership of the Association for the next two years at the 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Asaba, Delta State at the weekend.
The elected executives includes Mr. Sola Akinsiku, President; Mr. Omo Abunene; Vice President; Mr. Churuchill Nwagwu, General Secretary; Mrs. Adeola Odesanya, Assistant General Secretary; Mr. Chinweuba Nwagu, Treasurer and Mr. Babs Fagade, Publicity Secretary.
Others are: Chief George Onwujiariri, Ex officio; Mr. Alfred Akokhia, Ex officio; Mr. Ambrose Nnodim, Ex officio, Mr. Thaddeus Ukpe, Ex officio and Mr. Kayode Akanbi, Ex officio.
The AGM themed: ‘The Economic Outlook in a Transition Year had in attendance members of the Association across the country.
The outgoing President, Chief Emmanuel Ajufo in his speech at the event thanked members of the Board of Trustees for their unwavering support. “Likewise, I thank the Executives Council members specially for being a wonderful family through and through. It is my utmost desire that this tradition be sustained and even improved upon.”
Listing achievements of his exco, Ajufo said these includes issues with membership; rate cards; research; OAAN Book; Health Safety Manual; Women in Out Of Home(WOHAN); OOH Conference and Awards, Engagement with Signage Agencies, Industry/Stakeholders Relationship; Members Welfare, among others.
He stated further that the management of the Association is a continuum. “The next leadership should continue from where we have stopped. Luckily for us, most of those that will take over from us have been part of most of what we did in the last four years, so continuing from where we stopped shouldn’t be a problem.
Ajufo therefore urged members of the association to support the new executive. “I have had a wonderful time serving the Association in the last four years. In fact the service was made easy because of your wonderful support.
“I ask that you extend even more support to the incoming administration as all hands must be on deck now, more than ever before,” he added.
In his acceptance speech the new President, Mr. Sola Akinsiku said he is prepared to continue from where the immediate past administration stopped following the footsteps the outgoing president, Chief Emmanuel Ajufo and using the existing pillars and platforms that have been put in place.
“These are pillars of transparency, truthfulness, and forthrightness. They have improved our rating in the industry. They have brought us dignity and respect,” he said.
He said the new executive will work on continuous and constructive engagements with clients, the signage agencies and other critical stakeholders on issues critical to the success and the profitability of members businesses.
“Also taking all the relevant and necessary steps to pursue and accomplish our desire to carve an enviable, legally backed identity for our association and expanding our frontiers beyond the shores of Nigeria, beginning with the African project that our former President began to work on.
“There is also the issue of our academy. We will work it out and bring it to full fruition. I belief that we really deserve to have our own platform to continue to groom and grow the capacity and the capability of our workforce. It will ultimately enhance our output and impact on the productivity of our clients.”
He also harped on continued commitment to the promotion of the welfare and the wellbeing of both the member companies and of the workforce at all levels.
Highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new name and logo for the Association as part of its rebranding, the Association is now, Out Of Home Advertising Association of Nigeria but the acronym still remains OAAN.
Mr. Innocent Esewezie, Chairman Oshimili North Local Government and Director, Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, (DOAS), Abuja, Dr. Babagana Adam was honoured at the event alongside some members of the Association.
BV.