Women in Out-of-Home Advertising in Nigeria (WOHAN), a subgroup within the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), has held its inaugural meeting and also unveiled its brand logo.

WOHAN said it is poised with the vision to empower women in the OOH advertising by creating an inclusive environment that recognises and amplifies talents and expertise while leading to a more diverse and equitable industry.

Emmanuel Ajufo, president of OAAN, in his goodwill message at the epochal event recalled that over the years, women have continued to make remarkable and immeasurable impact across all fields of human endeavour.

Ajufo said the birth of WOHAN would give the women a platform to express themselves, noting that women have some peculiarities that are unique to them.

The OAAN president spoke on steps taken to foster collaborative approaches devoid of gender bias to promote inclusivity. He revealed that his association will continue to harness the collective power of women for uncommon record breaking achievements.

He commended the various laudable strides recorded by the women while revealing that the sector still yearns for more of such and encouraged the men to support the cause.

“We feel that the women should have a platform where they talk about business, so such a platform will help them to harness their full potential. Today, most women are doing well in the marketing department of companies they work in. We want to see more women in the operations department and other areas of our country. I am a strong believer that women are better managers. It is, therefore, safe to say that OAAN will be better organised if WOHAN is strong,” Ajufo said.

The Coordinator of the group, Adeola Odesanya, said the monumental event will pioneer and make path-breaking records on the stability of women in the OOH advertising space.

Odesanya  pledged that the group will continue on such mandate until all barriers and gender biases geared towards women achieving excellence at the pinnacle of their careers are leveled.

“As we demonstrate this quest for gender balance, we intend to seek affiliations with other women groups. Our deliberations and all that we have come to do here is launching us into an epoch where women would take their rightful positions in the OOH advertising sector. This defining time for women leadership to be key drivers in the Out-of-Home industry would in no time ensure peace and pave the way to an equitable landscape,” she said.

She mentioned that the group was formed by about 30 women which includes the chief executive and the senior manager, while explaining that they have the support of the male folk.

“Sincerely, in OAAN, we are not choked in anyway by the men. As women, we have our uniqueness and this is an industry dominated by men. You know women metamorphose; we grow and mature with time. We are going to even bring the lower cadre into another association. We want this one to stand and be strong, so that we will be able to impact value and capacity,” she explained.

The event was graced with the distinguished presence of the following industry thought leaders: Chief George Onwujiariri, the acting vice president; Mr. Sola Akinsiku, General Secretary; Susan Agbo, who represented ARCON DG; Tolulope Medebem, President of the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria, EXMAN; Angela Makinwa, Vice President, EXMAN and Ediri Ose-Ediale, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of ADVAN and many others.