The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, has inducted the Managing Director of mediaReach OMD Nigeria, Mr. Stephen Onairvi, the Managing Director of Bluebird Communications, Mr. Kayode Ebatamehi, the president of EXMAN, Mrs. Tolulope Medebem and 42 other outstanding professionals in the advertising ecosystem as Fellows, the highest category of membership of the profession.
Among those also inducted are two senior management staff of ARCON – Dr. (Mrs.) Emme Akande and Dr. (Lady) Susan Ngozi Agbo – Chairman of Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), Dr. Emmanuel Agu, vice president of Media Independents Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Ms. Brenda Nwagwu and other leading lights in the advertising ecosystem.
In his speech at the event, the Director General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, said to be a fellow of the advertising profession is the greatest wish of every practitioner as the cadre is the highest anyone can attain in the ecosystem.
“It is conferred on practitioners who have been registered as full members od the profession and have, in addition, have met other criteria as well as impacted significantly on the development of the profession. The criteria include good academic qualification, consistent engagement in the practice of marketing communication for a minimum of 15 years, involvement in the management of outstanding marketing communication campaigns, service to the profession at the level of ARCON Governing Council or industry sectoral associations, intellectual or professional expressions, membership or endowments, among others,” he explained.
He revealed that the profession has, as at date, registered 170 practitioners as Fellows. “A number of these distinguished fellows are already in their retirement while a few had passed on,” he said.
Also speaking at the event Mr. Lanre Adisa, frpa, president of AAAN and head of HASG informed the new fellows that being a fellow is a privilege and invitation to contribute more. “It means that you’ve done something worthy of recognition and your industry needs you.
“Our industry is facing more challenges today. Today is the age of ideas; it is not the age of just being there and expecting solutions to come from other places. Everybody is needed. So, if you’ve been selected to be inducted today, you are one among so many that is so privileged. We will like you to contribute irrespective of the sector.”
He urged ARCON to continue doing whatever it takes to ensure that this industry keep moving forward.
The citations of the new fellows were read while the ARCON boss administered the Oath of Practice and inducted them. Each new fellow was then decorated and given the paraphernalia of his/her new status – ribbon, certificate and plaque.
While congratulating and welcoming the new fellows, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, frpa, the Chairman of Troyka Group and one of the leading lights in the marketing communication ecosystem in Africa, though retired but not tired, frowned at the late beginning of the event. He said the status which the new fellows have attained comes with corresponding responsibilities, principal of which is to ensure that the advertising and marketing communications industry in Nigeria excels in practice and profession as well as making impact globally as ambassadors of the profession.
“All those inducted can be whatever they want to be. What is the value of this fellowship beyond your certificate and medal? What exactly does the fellowship mean? Once you are in the industry for over 15 years you are qualitied to be inducted.
“In another four years’ time, this business will be worth N1 trillion. It is a serious business.
Comparing the profession with the Law profession, the Czar of Advertising said there were benefits that go with being called a senior advocate in Law. “Being in practice for a particular number of years cannot guarantee you automatic SANship. There are still processes you have to go through. You’ll be interviewed; they will look at your conduct or character - how many cases you’ve won and all of that. Let’s ask ourselves - how many lawyers are in the SANship any year?
“Don’t get me wrong, I rejoice with all of you. But we must. begin to do something and you must be willing to do something that people must see that there is value in the Fellowship.”
The elder fellow lamented that he has been a fellow since 1999 but can’t tell one benefit he has derived from it. “The director general of ARCON needs to engage the various sectoral groups, agree and decide on what one would gain by being a fellow of the industry,” he advised.
Responding on behalf of all the new fellows, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, Director General and CEO of National Institute for Hospitality Tourism, thanked ARCON for deeming them fit to be inducted and expressed confidence that the new fellows will live up to expectations.
He also thanked the Screening Committee for the diligent work and ARCON’s commitment to professional development.
Earlier, the chairman of the Fellowship Selection Committee, Chief Emmanuel Ajufo, frpa, explained that the screening followed due process and was based on laid-down criteria and terms of reference set by the Council.
“We received a total of 48 applications and 45 were considered and recommended for elevation into the prestigious fellowship status. Unfortunately, we have three unsuccessful applicants.”
Goodwill messages were delivered by industry associations’ presidents - Mrs. Brenda Nwagwu, who stood in for president of MIPAN, Dozie Okafor; the president of OAAN, Sola Akinsiku, frpa and president of EXMAN, Tolulope Medebem, among others
Other new fellows
Other distinguished advertising practitioners that were inducted as Fellows include Gerald Osugo, CMO of Nile University; Olajide Olashile, MD of Cross Country Media Communications, Chief Reuben Ejike Mouka, Sir Bidwell Okere, CEO of Luzo Digital Network Media; Angela Tolulope Ndidi Makinwa of EXP Marketing; Oladapo Mosope Ojo, GMD of DM Holdings; Filius Osubor, founder of Rinet Limited; Fadeke Grace Alonge, CEO of Media Space Limited; Felix Ehikuemen, MD of Air Power Limited; Adeola Odesanya, Founder/CEO of Benevolence Ventures; Ojo Oluwagbenga Davidson Adetunji, MD of Topdignity International and Media Visibility Limited; Anthony Udenze, Founder/CEO of CANOD Advertising; Subomi Plumptre, Co-founder, Volition Capital Investment Limited (Nigeria) and Volition Blue LLC (ÙSA); and Amira Obi-Okoye, Group Director, Sales and Marketing, Megalectrics Limited.
Others are Azemhobo Lawrence Otono, Founder, Kuriocity Agency; Aare Abisoye Fagade, Director General/CEO, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism; Oluwaseyifunmi Oyewunmi, Assistant Director, FRCN; Adaora Adheke, Founder/CEO, Peacock Media; Adetunji Adeleye, Corporate Affairs Director, Redeemer's University; Dr. Alimi Adedola Olutoyin, Chief Lecturer and Head of Department of Art, Design and Printing Technology, The Polytechnic, Ibadan; Babatunde Ojo, Founder/CEO of Touchstone Limited; P. Tade Adekunle, Principal Partner, Keskese Limited; Julius Agenmonmen, Founder/CEO, Brañdlife Limited; and Oladimeji Arowa, Founder, Agenda Media Limited.
Also on the list of the new fellows are Prince Fatiu Akiolu, MD of LASAA; Felix Akugha, MD and Principal Consultant, Wovik Communications; Ayokunle Iyiola, Category Manager, Flour Mills Nigeria; Obasanjo Dele Femi, Founder, Prove Outdoor Media Limited: Babatunde Oyekan, MD, Colour Image Publicity; Modupe Adewuyi, MD/CEO, Standout Advertising; Ambrose Nnodim, MD, Marketing and Media; Olamide Blessing-Kayode, CEO, Vert Idee Limited; Maria Abiodun Taire, Director of Strategy and Account Management, Bluebird Communications; Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro, Pioneer Director, University of Nigeria Centre for Business Development; Banji Idowu, MD /CEO, Grand Strides Limited; Adekunle Ogunmefun, Founder/EVC, Bluebird Group; and Evelyn Ngozi Onyibe, Business Manager, The Sun Publishing Limited.
