Sola Akinsiku

Not a few believed the re-election of the Sola Akinsiku-led executive council of the Out- Of- Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), over the weekend, provided another  opportunity for the re-elected exco to address some unfinished ‘businesses’  of the past few years.

At the 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association, held at its secretariat over the weekend, Akinsiku and his team, were given another mandate to superintend the affairs of the association, which has served as the umbrella body of the  out- of- home advertisers in Nigeria for years.

 

The elected executives include Mr. Sola Akinsiku, President; Mr. Omo Abunene; Vice President; Mr. Chinweuba Nwagu, Treasurer and Mr. Babs Fagade, Publicity Secretary.

 

Managing the affairs of the out- of- home association, in the past few years, has not been an easy task. The nation’s outdoor advertising sector has not been without its prospects and challenges for whoever throws their cap into the ring to steer OAAN  ship.

 

For instance, besides the overwhelming issue of economic headwind, which businesses, including those in the sector, have continued to face in the past few years, one of the daunting challenges the sector has also had to grapple with is the not-too-friendly regulatory environments. The association’s members, across the country,  see this as  inimical to the growth of their business.

 

Since the onslaught on the sector was flagged off by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisements Agency (LASAA), many years ago, similar states’ outdoor regulatory agencies have since joined the fray, a development practitioners believed has gravely impacted their businesses.

 

Another of the concerns of the sector which practitioners would look up to Akinsiku and his team to address in their ‘second coming’ is that of arbitrary concessioning of juicy portions of different parts of the country  by agents of the state, to their cronies.

 

Not too long ago, there was a mild protest in Lagos, by practitioners, against  alleged move by the state government to concession some parts of the state to an  outdoor  ad company, being run by a highly influential individual in the state. Stakeholders have however  warned that while the plans seems to be on hold for now, the leadership of the association must not sleep with its two eyes closed.

Also, the association’s relentless pursuit of a chartered status remains one of the ‘unfinished businesses’ of the present leadership of the association, in its first term. Since revealing the move to the public, some time ago, the issue has remained highly contentious. While some would not see any reason for a chartered status, since they believe it would amount to ‘overburdening’ the present members of the association, there are some that continue to commend the association for being on the right course. It is left to be seen how Akinsiku and his team would handle this issue as they settle down for business in their second term.

 

Perhaps the second –term ticket would also afford the re-elected officers to address the issue of fragmentation which the industry seems to be experiencing in the past few years. For instance, not too long ago, the association moved out of the Heads of Advertising Sectoral Group (HASG) over what many described as irreconcilable differences with the leadership of the Group.  This, for many, must be addressed to bring back the spirit of camaraderie that once existed in the industry.

 

Many would also look be looking forward to how the re-elected officers of the association would re-energise the assocation’s women arm, inaugurated by  its immediate past president, Chief  Emma Ajufo, at the twilight of his administration. Since its inauguration,  not much has been heard or seen of this feminine association, launched with pomp and pageantry years ago.

 

Fortunately,  the re-elected leaders of the association  are not oblivious of these concerns, agitations and expectations of stakeholders. They seem determined to give those ‘unfinished tasks’ their best shots  this time around.

 

 

One of such steps at achieving that is the announcement of   the restructuring of its governance structure, as it will now have an Executive Secretary.

 

The incumbent President, while appreciating the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees, the council members and all members of the association for the support enjoyed during the administration  first term, spoke on the abolishment of the positions of the General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary in the  Constitution, saying  the two positions will now be combined in the functions of the Executive Secretary.

 

“Our constitution provides for an Executive Secretary and that has effectively removed the need to have both the General Secretary and an Assistant General Secretary,” he stated.

 

He believed  elections at any level are at the mercy of the electorate, adding that  the re-election of  the executives represents a clear  demonstration of the confidence of the electorate in the individual or in the team.

 

On the plans of the re-elected council for the next two years, he said: ” We already know where we are on most of the issues; we are also familiar with the new challenges springing up, we are also familiar with the progress that we have made on some of the issues that are important to us as an association and we will continue to pursue those things that will enhance professionalism in our sector.

 

“We will continue to pursue the OAAN Charter, and I can tell you that we are nearer it now; by the Grace of God, very soon, there will be calls for celebration,” he added.