ARCON elevates industry standards, inducts Fadolapo, Adeyinka, 36 others as Fellows

By Zion Rufus

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has taken a significant step to uphold the standard of practice in Nigeria’s advertising industry by inducting 38 members as Fellows.

Among them is ARCON’s Director General, Olalekan Fadolapo, who joined the prestigious fellowship status.

Emmanuel Ajufo, former OAAN President, shared that the council received 45 applications, with 38 individuals recommended for fellowship. Unfortunately, seven applicants were unsuccessful.

The induction ceremony, held on November 24, 2023, welcomed distinguished industry personalities like Tunji Adeyinka, Group Managing Director of the Republicom Group; Chris Ndibe, CEO of CARLCON Group; Agama Emieseifa James, Head of Corporate Communications at Julius Berger Nigeria plc; Adetu Owoseni, Chairman/Group CEO of Ogilvy Nigeria Limited and Algorithm Media Limited; and Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr.) Adeoriyomi Oluwasesan Oyebo (HRM), among others.

Top industry executives attended the event, including Madam Tolulope Medebem, President of the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN); Sola Akinsiku, President of the Outdoor Association of Nigeria (OAAN); Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, former APCON Registrar; Madam Olubunmi Oke, CEO/Lead consultant, Ladybird Advertising; and Emeka Chris Okeke, CEO Mediafuse dentsu amongst others.

ARCON highlighted that to date, 162 practitioners have been conferred with the fellowship, and the latest 38 will be admitted to the Body of Fellows during the 2023 National Advertising Conference in December.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inducted fellows, Tunji Adeyinka, Group Managing Director of the Republicom Group, said “Going through the list of inductees, I must say, it is really humbling to see some people who I consider as mentors, because they have done a lot of work and I can make bold to say that these fellows will carry high the flag of the Council even beyond the next generation. We are also grateful to the careful scrutiny of the council led by Emmanuel Ajufo and we also thank ARCON for its diligence.”

Fellowship in the advertising profession is the highest status, bestowed upon practitioners who’ve demonstrated excellence and significantly impacted the industry. Criteria include good academic qualification, 15 years of consistent engagement in marketing communications, involvement in outstanding campaigns, service to the profession, intellectual or professional expressions, mentorship, and more.

The fellowship application process begins with practitioners submitting applications, which are then screened by an industry committee. ARCON, as the practice regulator for advertising, has the authority to confer the Fellowship at a public ceremony.

The full list of inducted members includes Kehinde Khadijat Kadiri, Olufolahan Adisa Onifade, Adetunji Adedayo Adeyinka, Okwudili Chris Ndibe, Ime Okon Inyang, Olushola Adeniyi Adegborioye, Ohifuerme David Akharume, Chinwike Onwuchekwa, Chinedu Ethel Igboeche, Maureen Aniekan Umanah, Michael Anike Mbanugo, Joe-Eugene Orji Onyenyili-Onuorah, Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, Jude Okechukwu Emecheta, Sule Sule Ya’u, Lauratu Umar Abdulsalam, Chidindu Charity Ibiam, Evelyn Irepkitan Nwosu, Philip Adeyemi Adesanya, Samuel Bamidele Ayetutu, Michael Tunde Kajogbola, Yusuf Mu’azu, Nwanne Joseph Anasiudu, Abayomi Adedoyin Adewumi, Ibrahim Yusuf Yakasai, Adewale Adepitan, Bamijoko Okupe, Lawal Danladi Yaro, Biodun Olasunkanmi Ajiboye, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, Hauwa Margaret Nimyel, Okeoghene Solomon Akugha, Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo (HRM), Adetu Owoseni Dolapo, Umamah Aniekan John, Usman Faruk Umar, Akinbanjo Joshua Oluwasegun, Agama Emieseifa James.