OAAN loses Chairman, BOT
By Felicia Nwosu
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN has been in a mourning mood since 10 June when they woke up to saddening news of the sudden passing away of an industry veteran and legendary figure, Bankole Ademulegun, past president and Chairman, Board of Trustees, OAAN. Before his death, he was Partner/Founder and Vice Chairman at MediaLink Ltd.
Chief George Onwujiariri, the MD/CEO of Mario Sanctus Ltd and Vice President of the association, who regretfully confirmed the death, while speaking with MARKETING EDGE, said no identifiable reason has been established over the cause of his death.
With heavy heart, he revealed that Ademulegun’s death has left an indelible void in the entire industry.
The VP reflected sadly on the life and career of the former OAAN president. While sharing some profound thoughts about the deceased unbounded enthusiasm, he described him as the association’s pillar of hope, especially for his dogged fight against moves by some state governments to muscle out the practice.
“it is very saddening to learn that we have lost the Board of Trustee chairman. It was not in anybody’s knowledge that he was ill. The last time I saw him was in a meeting and he was fine and okay. He was a man that believed in unity. He was a man whose mantra revolved and anchored on the popular adage, ‘the more, the merrier’. This was because at one stage in the industry, at the advent of the Lagos State Signage Advertising Agency, LASAA, precisely, there was plan by the government to reduce the list of numbers of outdoor practitioners working in Lagos to only three or four, claiming that there were many outdoor companies, but, Kole Ademulegun came with the more, the merrier slogan, and he stood his ground that everybody should be free to practice.”
He added that the deceased was a man that believed in team work and the association.
“He gave it his all; right from the time he commenced the foundation and the building proper of the two-storey ultra-modern edifice known today as OAAN House. He had to gather everyone and encouraged us to pay what we called OAAN House levy fee, it was like half a million. We thought that it was a tall order or a herculean task that practitioners won’t be able to raise such amount then. He started with personal calls with everybody, and so everybody paid that money, and today, we have that edifice, an ultra-modern building at the Amuwo Odofin, Festac area of Lagos known today as OAAN House. it was Kole Ademulegun that laid the foundation as the president of OAAN. He was pragmatic, a gentleman, and a showman,
Onwujiariri told MARKETING EDGE that the burial is scheduled to hold on 28 June 2023. He said the strategic thinker had impacted the eco system with his vast experience and position as an industry icon and will best be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the entire industry.
“It is a huge loss to the entire industry, for OAAN it is a very big loss. Ademulegun wore a very big shoe and I wonder if that should will be able to size any other, I just wonder. The Board of Trustees has sent some members to pay a condolence visit to the family.”
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.