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.