AAAN has shown tremendous resilience in the face of difficulty- Steve Babaeko
By Zion Rufus
Having been dealt a devastating blow as a result of the general economic situation occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic and pulling through to emerge even more formidable, President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Steve Babaeko has expressed his elation on how far the Association has come even as he reeled out projections for the year 2022.
Steve Babaeko who emerged the AAAN President in 2020 while the Covid 19 pandemic rocked the industry, had initially expressed his fears on what the future had in store for the Association as his group assumed the baton of leadership.
In an earlier submission while giving his welcome speech at the umbrella body’s 48th Annual General Meeting and Congress, Babaeko said: “When this Exco was sworn in July 2020, I had my fears because we were in the middle of one of the most devastating pandemics the world has seen at least in about a century. My fears were: Would we even be able to deliver against our campaign promises; When the dust of the pandemic settles, would we still have an industry or business; With everyone struggling to stay afloat would our members be able to rally round the Exco to push our association forward? One year after, I am here to report to you that my fears are not just unfounded, the state of our union and our association remains stronger than ever before.”
The Association, founded in 1973 as a sectoral body within the Nigerian marketing communications landscape which has now become a force to be reckoned with both locally and internationally, have had as President advertising icons such as Sir. Steve Omojafor, Ikechi Odigbo, Rufai Ladipo, Kelechi Nwosu, Bunmi Oke, Kayode Oluwasona, and Funmi Onabolu amongst many others.
Validating Babaeko’s premise, Lanre Adisa, Chairman of LAIF Management Board and MD/CEO Noah’s Ark Communications who spoke at the last Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival in 2021 said: “I would say we had the fortune, not misfortune of being sworn into office just at the beginning of the pandemic. They challenged us and I think we rose to the occasion. We themed this year’s (2021) LAIF Awards “We Made It” to note that we made it through 2020, we made it to this point, and more than anything, we are making it tough. More importantly is the fact that our spirit of resilience really came to the fore by reminding us that no matter how hard it is, we keep going.”
Sharing that the AAAN members have so far shown tremendous resilience in the face of what has been ‘very difficult’ Covid19 years which came with severe economic headwinds, Babaeko disclosed that save for ‘one or two’, members of the Association have also shown commitment by meeting their financial obligations.
The President revealed that the Association admitted 8 new members in 2021 and as well looks forward to new memberships this year.
He said: “8 new Agencies joined our association last year. It’s also heartwarming that the bulk of the new members are young individuals. This was part of my campaign promise and I am very glad that we are able to create room for young practitioners to join us. In all, we are very grateful for the commitment of our members and we wish us all very prosperous years ahead.”
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.