OAAN confers advertising legend award on Dr. Biodun Shobanjo as he turns 80
By Abimbola Mohammed
It was a day of glitz, glamour and splendour as bigwigs in the Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) ecosystem and numerous guests turned out in their numbers to honour one of Nigeria’s foremost advertising practitioners and a doyen of the glamorous profession, Dr. Abiodun Olushina Shobanjo. The Chairman of Troyka Group was conferred with a legend of advertising at an event hosted by the Out-Of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN).
The landmark award and reception, held at Muson Centre in Lagos, was attended by the crème de la crème of the IMC industry.
The event was a testament to Dr. Shobanjo’s enduring legacy in the advertising industry, with guests from across sectoral groups and other professions. The two-in-one event was attended by Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFE, Doyen of Rotary International Nigeria (Chairman of the Day), Dr. Feyijimi Awosika, Vice Chairman of Troyka, Sir Steve Omojafor, former Chairman of Zenith Bank and co-founder of Rosabel Advertising Agency, Dr. Femi Adelusi, immediate past president Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Lanre Adisa, President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Alhajo Garba Bello Kankarofi, former Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), madam Tolulope Medebem, President Experiential Marketing Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, DG Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Abiola Salami, Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo, Past President OAAN, Madam Bunmi Oke, CEO Ladybird Advertising, Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, Non-Executive Director, and Board member of TROYKA HOLDINGS, and many more.
In his welcome address, Sola Akinsiku, President of OAAN, described Dr. Shobanjo as the “Doyen of Advertising and the pillar of modern advertising in Nigeria”. He noted that the OAAN Legend’s Award conferred on Dr. Shobanjo was the highest honour bestowed by the association on individuals who had made significant contributions to the development of Out-of-Home media practices in Nigeria.
Akinsiku praised Dr. Shobanjo’s innumerable contributions to the promotion of excellence and professionalism in the industry, saying, “We are gathered to witness this great event today as we honor Dr. Abiodun Olusina Shobanjo with this prestigious Award as our way of appreciating him for his selfless service to the industry.”
In his words: “The OAAN Legend’s Award is the highest honour that our association bestows on individuals who in the conviction of the executive council, acting on behalf of our board of trustees and the entire membership has made significant and verifiable contributions to the development of the Out-of-Home media practices in Nigeria. The first one was bestowed on Chief Akinrolabu (Babu) Akinbobola in 2020. We are now gathered to witness this great event today as we honour Dr. Abiodun Olusina Shobanjo, fra, OFR with this prestigious Award as our way of appreciating him for his innumerable contributions to the promotion of excellence and professionalism in our practice.”
He noted that the decision to organise the event is to make it a memorable event for Dr. Shobanjo and OAAN. He added that the award is a landmark achievement for the awardees, and it is only fitting and proper that it held to also coincide with a landmark event for today’s recipient.
Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, the chairman of the occasion, in his speech, described Dr. Shobanjo as a supportive, understanding, and successful man who had always been a shining example of excellence. He advised Dr. Shobanjo, as he approaches his 80th birthday, to focus on three things: something to keep him busy, something to fight for, and something to keep him young at heart.
Dr. Abiola Salami, in his keynote speech titled “Decade of Excellence and Professionalism,” emphasised the need for Nigerians to celebrate their heroes and learn from their experiences. He praised Dr. Shobanjo’s achievements, saying, “He has achieved unparalleled success and respect by all, and he got that from his father Pa. Joseph Shobanjo and his Mother Morinatu Shobanjo.”
Dr. Salami also broke down the acronym “SHOBANJO” into qualities that he believes define Dr. Shobanjo’s character: “Solid Background,” “Having empathy,” “Outshine the excellence,” “Brilliant execution Idea,” “Attracting & retaining talent,” and “Nurturing generation.” He concluded that Dr. Shobanjo has built a legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire future generations.
The event was a fitting tribute to Dr. Shobanjo’s remarkable career and a celebration of his enduring impact on the advertising industry in Nigeria.
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