Ajufo accounts for stewardship as OAAN elects new exco at AGM
By Felicia Nwosu
The Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has expressed readiness to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) that will usher in a new set of executives. The new exco is expected to hold its leadership baton for the next two years as the present administration bows out this month.
Giving his opening remarks at a media parley in Lagos, Emmanuel Ajufo, the outgoing president of the association, said the AGM, which is the 38th edition, is themed: “The Economic Outlook in a Transition Year”, will take place in Asaba, Delta State capital, between Thursday, 26 October and Saturday, 28 October, 2023.
According to the president, the event will be graced with the presence of several distinguished personalities, including the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori and some of his state commissioners and local government chairmen.
Giving account of his stewardship, Mr. Ajufo enumerated how the members travailed in the hands of state signage agencies, while surmounting an unfriendly business environment ranging from concession of seven major roads across the state, multiple charges and payment of vacant billboards across the country. He mentioned that the case between OAAN and Lagos State is still in court and so did not detail it based on sub judice. He, however, stated that the case between his members and KASUPDA (Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority) has been rectified amicably out of court.
The OAAN leader noted that his tenure has been able to establish a cooperative society that has assisted its members in accessing loans easily to avert the bottlenecks associated with accessing loans from banks. This, he pointed out, has accelerated the business growth of the members while they pay dividends to the cooperative society.
He attested that his administration has succeeded in deepening relationships with stakeholders and also built a more united and strong membership, adding that people have now seen the need to join the association as a value and purpose driven body.
“We decided to add to the knowledge base of our industry by coming up with a publication. We launched an industry book because we felt that we cannot be in a profession without improving our industry knowledge base. We believe in dialogue and there has been a constant engagement with the signage agencies courtesy the kind of leadership we have had in the last four years,” he said.
Mr. Ajufo also revealed that the association will rebrand its logo soon to redefine the industry operations with a new paradigm shift.
“We have also rebranded and we are now known as the “Out-of-home Advertising Association of Nigeria”. That is the first stage of the rebranding as we journey along the other stages. We will be unveiling the logo during our AGM this Friday. This is something that has also defined us as an association that is forward-looking,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the treasurer of the association, Dupe Adewuyi, noted that OAAN will not be delisting any member this year. She confirmed that members are fulfilling their financial obligations speedily and willingly, having seen value in being part of the association. Members who were present at the meeting include: the Vice President of OAAN, Chief George Onwujiariri; Mr. Sola Akinsiku, Gen. Secretary; Churchill Nwagwu, Asst. Gen. Secretary and Chiddy Ibiam, General Manager (OAAN).
Photo caption: From left, Assistant General Secretary, Churchill Nwagwu; General Manager, Mrs Chidi Ibiam; Vice President, Chief George Onwujiariri; President, Chief Emmanuel Ajufo; Treasurer, Mrs. Modupe Adewuyi and General Secretary, Sola Akinsiku, all of OAAN at a press parley held on Monday in Lagos.
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