NIMN: At last, a peaceful Baton Change
Marketers across the length and breadth of Nigeria can now heave a great sigh of relief as the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria finally undergoes a peaceful and democratic power transition to a new set of leaders.
The exercise which took place at the Premier Hotel Ibadan during the institute’s 7th yearly meeting was characterized by intrigues, competition, politics and politricks of the most exciting order.
On the card for contest was the position of the President and Chairman of Council and four vacant seats on the council of NIMN. The two major contestants for the Presidency were Mr. Anthony Agenmonmen, former Senior Strategy Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Dr. Oluwarotimi Olaniyan, Managing Director of Advantage Group and current president of Experiential Marketing Agencies Association of Nigeria, (EXMAN). For the vacant council positions, not less than fourteen aspirants contested in a very keen and fierce contest.
However, the position of the President and Chairman of council of the institute was more contentious as the two gladiators were professional heavy weights who left no stone unturned in trumpeting their pedigrees and credentials before a very critical and discerning marketing audience. Pre-election campaigns were marked by fierce criticisms and contentious allegations and counter-allegations of the dramatis personae. One exciting aspect of the electioneering campaign in the contest was the fact that none of the contestants took the electorate for granted. Consequently, the two major aspirants for the presidency engaged the electorate on one-on-one basis, nationwide visitations to NIMN state chapters and even social media engagements. It was one election campaign that NIMN fully registered its presence on the social media through deployments of the various media channels by the aspirants to sell themselves and their manifestoes.
Like every election, there were groups and camps that championed the crusade of their preferred candidates. Despite the different camps and groups that competed for the election, the transition went smoothly after the initial hiccups on accreditation. The maturity and patriotism exhibited by the two presidential candidates helped in no small measure to guarantee the peaceful conduct of the election.
For the council positions, the 14 contestants that jostled for the posts were no push overs in marketing business.
They were professionals with pedigrees. At the end of the keen contest, the following marketers emerged council members. They are, namely, Mr. Chuka Ebora, Mr. Kachi Onubogu, Mr. Bewaji Babatunde and Alhaji Yahaya Fulfude. The announcement of the winners of the council seats elicited wild jubilations by the delegates numbering over one thousand. Shortly after the conduct, the out-gone President, Aare Ganiyu Koledoye gave his valedictory speech after which he decorated the newly elected president Mr. Tony Agenmonmen with the insignia of office.
The new president who stepped forward humbly to assume the mantle of leadership had fewer words for the marketers other than the assurance that he will implement to the letter all the promises he made during his campaign. He also solicited for the support of all in taking the institute to the next level. Not only that, Tony Agenmonmen actually saluted and commended his rival, Dr. Rotimi Olaniyan for stepping down and pledging to support his administration, stating that all of them are actually working for the interest of the association.
The event for the day was rounded off with jubilation, drumming and dancing as delegates departed in joyful mood to their different destinations.
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