To join the rest of the world in observing World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5 and to promote healthy living among practitioners within the advertising industry, the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) in collaboration with the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) recently organized a health walk in Lagos.
The Day is marked by the World Health Organisation (WHO), annually with the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign which aims to promote the goal of maintaining a global profile on the importance of hand hygiene in health care and to; ‘bring people together’ in support of hand hygiene improvement.
Speaking at the 2024 Day with the theme: ‘Healthy Living’, the President of OAAN), Mr. Sola Akinsiku said the programme which was in collaboration with MIPAN is aimed at promoting healthy living among practitioners in the advertising industry as well as to promote bonding among the important sectors of the advertising industry in the country.
“It is in celebration of World Hand Hygiene Day and it’s important for us to also identify with the global movement but more importantly, it is to encourage collaboration among the various sectors of our industry.
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Adding that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, Akinsiku encouraged individuals to maintain a healthy living, healthy lifestyle and take part in healthy activities that can keep them healthy and giving them the energy to go about their day to day activities.
He however urged the government at all levels to promote issues around health so as to have a healthy nation.
Mentioning the reason for the collaboration among the two organisations, Akinsiku said the target is for the industry’s primary constituency which is the advertising and every individual, persons that practices advertising and operates in the ecosystem is relevant.
“That is why the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) was part of the event this year and I must say this is a good development and it shows there is a kind of understanding between the regulator and OAAN,” he stated.
OAAN President said members of the Association look forward to the annual event adding that in years to come it could turn out to be a total industry programme, “because I am looking towards having others in the industry joining us and this I believe can make it a global industry event.”
Also speaking at the event, an ex-officio of MIPAN, Mr. Yinka Adebayo said the health walk is to show the essence of collaboration because the advertising sector is very competitive.
“We work in a competitive world where marketing is war but there is life outside marketing and it is important we meet occasionally to interact, socialize and actually to know that there is life after the battle of winning account.
“Equally it is a way to encourage our members through work balance because the nature of our work can be strenuous and sometimes we forget ourselves but with exercise like this, we can be healthy and still go about our daily jobs,” he explained.
Stating that event like the health walk is a good way to socialize, network and bond, Adebayo said other associations within the advertising industry wishing to join the event in future are welcome.
“We are even looking at the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) coming on board.” Though they are our regulator but they should also know those they are regulating, let them show that their regulation is not to strangulate.
The representative of LASAA, Bolade Otukoya said the initiative is a very good one adding that aside keeping fit, the event helps practitioners to socialize and also provide opportunity for them to see their environment.
“Through this initiative it will help them to see structures around them and to be able to see what it is doing to the environment because in LASAA we are regulating the environment by not allowing clusters and ensuring the billboards fit the landscape,” she explained.
Members of OAAN and MIPAN at the event expressed their excitement for the opportunity to bond and network during the exercise.
Those who spoke with our correspondent said that it will create more cordial relationship in the Advertising industry.
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