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| L-R: Chairman, Troyka Group, Dr. Biodun Olushina Shobanjo, Chairman Media Link and Past President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, displaying his Award as a “Legend of OAAN”, Mr. Foluso Babu Akinbobola, Wife, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Akinbobola and Vice-Chairman, Media Link and Past President OAAN, also a Legend of OAAN, Mr. Kole Ademulegun, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association during the OAAN Nite of Legends in Lagos recently |
The maiden event tagged “Night of the Legends” was held on
9th of December, 2020 at the banquet hall of the exquisite Country Club in
highbrow, Ikeja G.R.A., Lagos.
Three former presidents of the association, Chief Foluso
Babu Akinbobola, High Chief JAS Kolawole Oyekan and Pa Simeon Olaghere were
honoured on the occasion of the industry event.
The glamorous event lived up to its billing as it attracted
dignitaries from the advertising industry and beyond. Among the dignitaries at
the occasion was the doyen of advertising and chairman of Troyka Holdings,
Biodun Shobanjo; Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON)
Registrar, Lekan Fadolapo; Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency
(LASAA), Managing Director, Prince Adedamola Docemo; Outdoor Advertising
Association of Nigeria (OAAN) President, Emmanuel Ajufo; Media Independent
Practitioners of Nigeria (MIPAN) President, Femi Adelusi and many others.
In his welcome address, OAAN President Emmanuel Ajufo
eulogized the past leaders of the outdoor advertising industry, noting that
their selfless service and sacrifice have put the industry in good stead.
‘Without the selfless service of our past leaders, we will
not be where we are today. In recognition of this, we are honouring these
exemplary men of honour who have served the association in the past. The Nite
of the Legends will now form part of our bi-annual functions as an association.
We hope this recognition will further encourage our good people to offer their
time and resources to the growth of the association.”
The Guest Speaker, Babajide Ogunsanwo, in his presentation
noted that the present economic exigencies require outdoor advertising to move
beyond the traditional role of informing the people.
He stated that a lot of empathy should be integrated in
delivering offerings to the people especially at this critical period of
Covid-19 pandemic.
According to him, ‘’ Instead of business such as outdoor
advertising just offering services, they could enter into business partnerships
and mergers which could impact positively on business and the economy.’’
‘’Prior to this time, what we have seen are a lot of
business complaining that policies are not favourable, but business need to
make specific recommendations and provide timeline, businesses also need to
show the way such policies will impact sectors and the economy’’, he said.
Chief Foluso Akinbobola got the main award while the duo of
Chief JAS Kolawole Oyekan and Pa Simeon Olaghere got posthumous awards for
their contributions to the outdoor advertising industry in Nigeria.
The epoch-making event of the 30-year old association was
seen by industry players and watchers as a landmark achievement by the Emmanuel
Ajufo led association. It was the first time a special event was hosted to
specifically honour past heroes of the association.
Recall that in the past, the association had always honoured
its patrons through the annual poster awards.