Jostle begins for OAAN leadership

Jostle begins for OAAN leadership

Feelers emanating from the outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN have revealed that feverish contest has emerged in earnest for the top positions in the out-of-home advertising sector.

The jostle for power and positions of the vibrant and articulate sectoral group emerged as a result of the tenure end of current executive council of the association headed by Dr. Charles Azubuike Chijide after a two term tenure of four years in the saddle.

It will be recalled that Chijide and his current exco members succeeded Mr. Kole Ademulegun and his team four years ago at the association’s yearly meet held in Festac amidst a feverish and keenly contested election full of intrigues and horse-trading by practitioners.

Impeccable industry sources have revealed authoritatively to MARKETING EDGE that the forth-coming OAAN election and baton change will not in the least lack in drama, intrigues and maneuvers as there already exists two major candidates slugging it out with themselves on the presidential front. The two strong candidates are, Mr. Ladi Sole, Managing Director of Unique Sites Ltd and vice-president 1 of the current exco. However, he has a major contender and opponent in Prince Tunde Adedoyin, Managing Director of Media Views and member of the current exco.

Other positions available for contest with less intrigues and horse-trading are the vice-Presidents 1 and 2, General Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations, Financial Secretary and Ex-Officio. The incumbent General Secretary of OAAN, Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo, also Managing Director of Opportunity to See and Mr. Emeka Dozie of Grapro are slugging it out while for now, Managing Director of KOK Visibility Edge, Mr. Sola Akinsiku has so far indicated interest in the association’s General Secretariship position. No other contestant has emerged for that position yet, but Akinsiku has embarked on aggressive campaign for the top job.

If feelers were anything to go by, Mr. Churchill Nwaugu, Managing Director of Spreadout Advertising may be the sole contender for OAAN, publicity Secretary while the heir apparent to colour Image Publicity, Mr. Tunde Oyekan, may be persuaded to take the position of Assistant General Secretary in an apparent positioning of OAAN for a rancor free succession plans. It was further reliably gathered that other top OAAN positions may be filled up by some young turks who served in the recent OAAN Poster Award committee believed to have worked assiduously to make the Ninth edition of the Poster award a success not withstanding some hiccups and sponsors’ general apathy.

However, the industry is sharply divided over the choice of Ladi Sole and Prince Tunde Adedoyin as the next OAAN president. While there was a consensus of opinion on the competence and capability of Mr. Ladi Sole as a likely successor to Charles Chijide, particularly with his current position as VP 1 of OAAN, there are also very strong sentiments about his social life-style which the conservative elements in the association believed to be too loud and unacceptable for the professional body.

This view is believed to be held by majority of industry players who though perceived Ladi Sole a good team player and lifely guy to be with but greatly resent some of his approaches on social life and attitudes that bother on the typical “Eko Guy Style” (Lagos Guy Style).

It is this resentment that has won Prince Tunde Adedoyin, a debonair advertising practitioner a sizeable followership amongst the practitioners. Himself a social reveler, Adedoyin is perceived to be cautious, moderate and stylish in his ways. Also a team player and highly connected amongst clients and in the industry across various sectors, Prince Adedoyin has a principled business philosophy that most practitioners in the sector would forever treasure, especially his disposition towards strict adherence to professionalism and respect for OAAN.

He is believed to have had cause to single handedly enforced OAAN positions on trade relations and partnership with other relevant bodies even at the expense of his own business interests. This is said to be a virtue that cannot be lacking in whoever becomes the next OAAN president. Prince Adedoyin has also served in various capacities of OAAN since he started his business over 20 years ago and he is also a major investor and stakeholder in the emerging OOH business in Nigeria.

As it stands, the forth-coming contest for the OAAN top jobs at its next annual general meet slated for August will be keen and queer. As usual, there will be emergence of different factions favouring or opposing each other in the battle for the soul of the association. It promises to be an exciting scenario in shaping the industry.