Friday, March 19, 2010
Remembering Zulu Sofola: Great woman of theatre
By Yemi Olakitan
IN the 50 years of Nigerian independence, many theatre practitioners,
dramatists and playwrights came on the scene to develop Nigeria's theatre.
The late Professor Zulu Sofola, first female Professor of Theatre Arts in Africa
was one of them. In looking at 50 years of theatre in Nigeria, we will be looking
at the lives of those who have contributed immensely to the development of
the stage performance.
Zulu Sofola was perhaps, the most important female playwright in Africa during
her time. In a male dominated world where the voice of women seemed
unheard and under-appreciated, Zulu Sofola stepped forward and
distinguished herself as a literary icon and an excellent dramatist.
It was a dream that started from her parents. In those days, it was not
fashionable to send female children to school. There was the fear that
educating a girl-child might prevent her from getting a good husband. Zulu's
parents made a different choice from the norm and sent their beautiful
daughter to school not only in Nigeria but also in the United States of America.
Born in Isele Uku to the Okumabua family of Ogbeutu quarters, Zulu attended
secondary school at the Mary Mount College, Agbor, in Delta State before she
traveled to the United States for her university education. She studied at
Virginia Union Baptist Seminary and The Catholic University of America. It was
while she was in the US that she met her husband, the late Professor Adeyemi
Sofola.They both came back home to Nigeria and began their careers in
teaching at the University of Ibadan where she later obtained a PhD in Theatre
Arts.
Zulu Sofola was a woman with a strong passion for African Drama and
Literature and she used her privileged education to tell the story of her people
through her numerous works. She also projected the culture in such a way that
those that belong to other culture were able to appreciate her people. The
theatre scholar used her plays to address issues of justice and individual
freedom. She also used her talents as a playwright to explain the relevance of
culture and traditional practices and their boundaries and limitations in human
relationships and happiness.
In a chat with one of the directors of Zulu's plays, Abiodun Abe, the Technical
Director of the National Theatre of Nigeria, he said Sofola's plays are both
culturally entertaining and educative. ''They are largely traditional and
instructive and they tell tales of love and royalty through tragedies and the
various experiences of human life in such a way that readers and audience
alike are both entertained and informed in one scenario or the other.''
Abe began directing her plays in 1988. He directed Wedlock of the gods in
1988 and Wizard of Law in 1996, as well as King Emene in 1999. Other
directors who have worked on Zulu Sofola's plays include Yomi Adebamigbe
and Kunle Adewole who is the head of the Department of the Performing Arts
in Jalingo, Taraba State University. Till date Zulu Sofola's plays are being
performed in theatres in Europe and America.
Zulu used some of her plays to criticize the mistreatment of females, although
some of her critics have portrayed her as a liberal feminist. They however
acknowledged her status as a brilliant playwright.
In the play, Wedlock of the gods, the playwright questions the tradition that
reduces women to a piece of property that could be passed from one man to
another. This is aside addressing the issue of political savagery often exhibited
by dictators. In King Emene, for instance, she exploits the themes of anger,
jealousy and selfish ambition to mirror the evils of society.
She was the founding coordinator of the three arms of the Performing Arts
department at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. Each of the departments
was headed by various professionals in their fields such a Dr. Bode Omojola
who headed the School of Music, Chris Ugholo who was the head of the
Dance School, while Professor Akanji Nasiru and Dr. Ayo Akinwale were both
senior lecturers alongside Zulu Sofola at the Drama School. She ran a
professionally bubbling theatre department that kept the university busy and
she was an inspiration to all.
Zulu's writing style was simple and her deep knowledge of the people's culture
reflected in her plays. In fact, her treatment of romantic love in her play is a
reflection of true-life experience, as her storyline seems to mirror society. In
Wedlock of the gods, Ogwoma falls in love with Uloko. The young stars
strongly held on to a belief that the gods have ordained their relationship from
the heaven and that they cannot part.
This story line seems to have a replay in Zulu's life when she met her husband
who was from another tribe. Adeyemi Sofola was a Yoruba man while she was
from Isele Uku in Delta State. There was opposition to the relationships by
both families but Zulu and Adeyemi stood their grounds and they got married.
Their strong love ended when Adeyemi died in 1996 after many years of
marriage. At the funeral service, Prof. Zulu Sofola repeatedly asked what she
was waiting for and in few months later she joined her husband. According to
Abiodun Abe, "it seems that her storyline and plot in Wedlock of the gods,
played out in her own life.
Tools
Friday, 8 April 2011
Friday, 21 May 2010
Is The Customer still King?
Is the Customer still the King?
By Yemi Olakitan
This was the question on the lips of participants at the customer behaviuor symposium held at the old parliament building at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos recently.
The Symposium, which was organized by Logica Media group, was part of efforts by the company to create a platform for brands experts’ discussion. Speaking at the event, the chairman of Logica Media Group, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye said the symposium will give brands experts an opportunity to share creative ideas and an opportunity to learn from one another.
He said the yearly events would create a new generation of brands that are committed to customer satisfaction through innovation, customer service and information.
The theme of the symposium which was: ‘The customer is King ’ served as the bedrock of the discussions. In a paper delivered at the event, Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria reiterated the importance of brand loyalty as a guarantor of profitability, market share growth and sustainable success in the market place.
Emphasizing that the customer is king, not only Nigeria but anywhere in the world, Oyeyemi said brand
loyalty cannot happen without a thorough understanding of the consumers and a deliberate decision to satisfy and exceed customers’ expectations via both care and surprise values.
Speaking further, he said it is the responsibility of the whole organization from top to bottom and not just a departmental job. Oyeyemi was of the opinion that consumer promotions do not represent loyalty schemes. He said reward schemes are not strong enough to command brand loyalty. According to him, the customer will begin to develop loyalty to the promotions, not to the brand itself and when the promotion is no longer forthcoming, the loyalty dies.
‘‘A loyalty scheme must be strategic and pivotal to the life of the brand or organization. More insight driven and relevant loyalty schemes are the answers.’’ He said. He econcouraged companies to always consult the experts when in doubt. He said the professionals will help them develop impact loyalty schemes with the potentials to deliver on the company’s objectives and promise's to the consumer.’’
In another dimension, Oyeyemi said most organisations focused on the visible and more obvious pieces of information about the customers and are oblivious of what lies beneath the surface, ‘They must probe deeper into the world of the customer to understand their motivations, needs, aspirations, and belief systems which could hold the key to the levers that could open the door to customer satisfaction and loyalty. In depth customer knowledge is critical for the enhancement of customer loyalty.’’ He said.
He pointed out that relevant and compelling value propositions are at the heart of customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. An excellent delivery of the brand promise is also non-negotiable. Congruity is a critical element here. Whatever promise a brand makes must not be in dissonance with the experience it delivers to the consumer or customer. In the event of a brand promise delivery challenge, the disaster recovery system must be genuine, responsive and timely. One nasty experienced properly handled can make a customer even more loyal than a customer who never had a nasty experience.
‘’ In addition to meeting and exceeding the customers in terms of core values, every moment of truth is a critical moment. Every moment of interaction with the brand and the organization should leave a taste in the mouth of the consumer. This taste could be sweet or sour. A marketing oriented company’s job is to ensure a sweet taste is left in the mouth of the consumer at every moment of truth’’
According to Oyeyemi, Customer service must be woven into the fabric and essence of the organization and must have executive backing and leverage. The customer is king and the brand is alive or death because of him.
Another notable speaker was Mrs.Llolia S Emakpore, Director, Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Nigerian Communications Commission. Speaking at the symposium, Emakpore reiterated the importance consumer’s position in business and commercial enterprise. She said the customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is the most important visitor on our premises .He is the purpose of our business enterprise. We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so.
Speaking further, Emakpore said brands and organizations must work hard and develop their consumer into fans. She said they could do this by protecting the rights of the consumer in every front. She enumerated these rights as the –rights to safety, the rights to choose, the rights to be informed, and the right to be heard.
She said her organization must ensure that the consumer is satisfied in such a way that they can come back for more. She said brands must turn their consumers into fans.
‘’When they become fans, they will recommend the brand to others. We must ensure that the consumers remain the king by eliminating all dissatisfactions or frustrations experience by the consumer. Minor dissatisfaction may lead to a change to competing brand.’’
‘‘In order to ensure to build consumer loyalty, we must use motivations such as pricing incentives, advertising, brand extensions which eliminate frustrations and leads to growth.’’ She said
In ensuring that the consumer remains king in Nigeria, Emakporie said companies must ensure that the views of the consumer are heard. They must ensure that that strong mechanism for feedback is put in place so that they can improve on the quality of their product.
At the end of the symposium, participants ask relevant questions concerning the subject matter. Other dignitaries who attended the symposium included: Emeka Okpara, Head Branding Communications, Zain Nigeria, the convener, Yinka Oguntoyinbo, MD Logica Media
Logica Media Group, which hosted the event, has been in the vanguard of brand and marketing development in Nigeria. The group was the organizer of Brand Director’s conference, held in November 2009. The Conference had Professor Steve Woodgar of Oxford University, UK and Bola Akingbade, former Marketing Director of Heineken international as guest speakers. Logica Media is involved in advertising, events management, Publishing, exhibition, and all aspects of marketing communications. Logica Media is the organizer of the yearly Telecom Award in Lagos.
By Yemi Olakitan
This was the question on the lips of participants at the customer behaviuor symposium held at the old parliament building at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos recently.
The Symposium, which was organized by Logica Media group, was part of efforts by the company to create a platform for brands experts’ discussion. Speaking at the event, the chairman of Logica Media Group, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye said the symposium will give brands experts an opportunity to share creative ideas and an opportunity to learn from one another.
He said the yearly events would create a new generation of brands that are committed to customer satisfaction through innovation, customer service and information.
The theme of the symposium which was: ‘The customer is King ’ served as the bedrock of the discussions. In a paper delivered at the event, Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria reiterated the importance of brand loyalty as a guarantor of profitability, market share growth and sustainable success in the market place.
Emphasizing that the customer is king, not only Nigeria but anywhere in the world, Oyeyemi said brand
loyalty cannot happen without a thorough understanding of the consumers and a deliberate decision to satisfy and exceed customers’ expectations via both care and surprise values.
Speaking further, he said it is the responsibility of the whole organization from top to bottom and not just a departmental job. Oyeyemi was of the opinion that consumer promotions do not represent loyalty schemes. He said reward schemes are not strong enough to command brand loyalty. According to him, the customer will begin to develop loyalty to the promotions, not to the brand itself and when the promotion is no longer forthcoming, the loyalty dies.
‘‘A loyalty scheme must be strategic and pivotal to the life of the brand or organization. More insight driven and relevant loyalty schemes are the answers.’’ He said. He econcouraged companies to always consult the experts when in doubt. He said the professionals will help them develop impact loyalty schemes with the potentials to deliver on the company’s objectives and promise's to the consumer.’’
In another dimension, Oyeyemi said most organisations focused on the visible and more obvious pieces of information about the customers and are oblivious of what lies beneath the surface, ‘They must probe deeper into the world of the customer to understand their motivations, needs, aspirations, and belief systems which could hold the key to the levers that could open the door to customer satisfaction and loyalty. In depth customer knowledge is critical for the enhancement of customer loyalty.’’ He said.
He pointed out that relevant and compelling value propositions are at the heart of customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. An excellent delivery of the brand promise is also non-negotiable. Congruity is a critical element here. Whatever promise a brand makes must not be in dissonance with the experience it delivers to the consumer or customer. In the event of a brand promise delivery challenge, the disaster recovery system must be genuine, responsive and timely. One nasty experienced properly handled can make a customer even more loyal than a customer who never had a nasty experience.
‘’ In addition to meeting and exceeding the customers in terms of core values, every moment of truth is a critical moment. Every moment of interaction with the brand and the organization should leave a taste in the mouth of the consumer. This taste could be sweet or sour. A marketing oriented company’s job is to ensure a sweet taste is left in the mouth of the consumer at every moment of truth’’
According to Oyeyemi, Customer service must be woven into the fabric and essence of the organization and must have executive backing and leverage. The customer is king and the brand is alive or death because of him.
Another notable speaker was Mrs.Llolia S Emakpore, Director, Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Nigerian Communications Commission. Speaking at the symposium, Emakpore reiterated the importance consumer’s position in business and commercial enterprise. She said the customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is the most important visitor on our premises .He is the purpose of our business enterprise. We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so.
Speaking further, Emakpore said brands and organizations must work hard and develop their consumer into fans. She said they could do this by protecting the rights of the consumer in every front. She enumerated these rights as the –rights to safety, the rights to choose, the rights to be informed, and the right to be heard.
She said her organization must ensure that the consumer is satisfied in such a way that they can come back for more. She said brands must turn their consumers into fans.
‘’When they become fans, they will recommend the brand to others. We must ensure that the consumers remain the king by eliminating all dissatisfactions or frustrations experience by the consumer. Minor dissatisfaction may lead to a change to competing brand.’’
‘‘In order to ensure to build consumer loyalty, we must use motivations such as pricing incentives, advertising, brand extensions which eliminate frustrations and leads to growth.’’ She said
In ensuring that the consumer remains king in Nigeria, Emakporie said companies must ensure that the views of the consumer are heard. They must ensure that that strong mechanism for feedback is put in place so that they can improve on the quality of their product.
At the end of the symposium, participants ask relevant questions concerning the subject matter. Other dignitaries who attended the symposium included: Emeka Okpara, Head Branding Communications, Zain Nigeria, the convener, Yinka Oguntoyinbo, MD Logica Media
Logica Media Group, which hosted the event, has been in the vanguard of brand and marketing development in Nigeria. The group was the organizer of Brand Director’s conference, held in November 2009. The Conference had Professor Steve Woodgar of Oxford University, UK and Bola Akingbade, former Marketing Director of Heineken international as guest speakers. Logica Media is involved in advertising, events management, Publishing, exhibition, and all aspects of marketing communications. Logica Media is the organizer of the yearly Telecom Award in Lagos.
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Why I Am Documenting JJ Rawlings, By Yemi Olakitan
Why I Am Documenting JJ Rawlings, By Mohammed
By Yemi Olakitan
THE story of Ghana and the role played by former President Jerry Rawlings in setting it on a stable political course are the focus of a new documentary that will hit the screens soon. US- based writer and musician, Mohammed Naseehu Ali, who was in Lagos for the Black Heritage Festival recently, is recording the documentary. According to him, it is necessary to record the story of Ghana as she emerged from austerity to prosperity so that African people, especially the youth, can learn from it now and in the future. Mohammed believes that filmmaking is an important tool for democratic development, hence devoting his skill and resources to the current project.
According to him, such a project will enable African people understand and appreciate Ghanaian democracy and see if her experience could be an option for a functional African democracy. Mohammed admitted, however, that Ghana is still growing and there are still many challenges to overcome. We can learn from the past, said Mohammed, adding that he believes that in telling the tales of Ghana's democracy and the role former President Rawlings played, one cannot ignore the power of film to convey messages, and help influence course of society.
Originally from Ghana, Mohammed lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and three children. He is a new generation immigrant to the United States. A graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and Bennington College, Ali has published fictions and essays in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Mississippi Review, Bomb, Gathering of the Tribes, and Essence. He is a versatile writer of short stories and novels. His book, 'The Prophet of Zongo Street,' received wide reviews and acclaim.
Speaking on his origin, Mohammed said he is from a Hausa clan in Ghana. ''Sometimes people in Ghana argue that I am a Nigerian and that there is no Hausa in Ghana while the Hausas in Nigeria say that I am a Ghanaian because the Hausa language I speak is different from theirs; that is why I have decided to be an American in order to put an end to the confusion,'' he said.
On his project, Mohammed said he would be interviewing several African leaders, especially Ghanaian leaders, who witnessed the Jerry Rawlings revolution. He said he intends to make the project all encompassing. The former President, he said, is a colossal figure in Ghanaian politics whose influence cannot be overemphasized.
''Jerry is a very important figure in Ghanaian politics. Where Ghana was in 1979 is not where it is in 2010. Within the space of 30 years, Rawlings has been in the minds of Ghanaians and they have loved and hated him. He is instrumental to the changes we have in Ghana today. As a result of what he did in Ghana, there will never be a coup there again.'' he said.
IN 1979, Rawlings, with six others, was arrested and charged with leading a mutiny of junior officers and sentenced to death. While awaiting an appearance before the court, Rawlings was rescued from custody by a group of soldiers; and with the support of both the military and civilians, he ousted the corrupt Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council to power.
Rawlings signed the orders for the execution of some former military dictators and they were killed under the watch of his government. These former military rulers were Ignatius Kutu Acheamphong, Akwasi Afrifa, and Fred Akuffo. Five other generals Ÿ Joy Amedume, Yaw Boakye, Roger Felli, Kotei, and Utuka were also put to death. Rawlings ruled Ghana for a total of 19 years and contributed to the democratic and economic stability of the country. According to Mohammed, in the 70s Ghana was in a desperate situation under a corrupt leadership but Rawlings contributed to the change in the country's politics and economy.
These historical facts, said Mohammed, must be seen on film. He will also be interviewing ordinary Ghanaians aside political leaders. ''The Nollywood of today is not recording our history. Look at the Nigerian-Biafran war for example, is it on film? It is not enough to write about these events we need to put them on film. We need to tell our stories on film''
''This is my first documentary. I grew up in Ghana and I saw the revolution and I have been writing ever since. I saw the horrors of what was happening. It is a story that I want to go back to and try to understand what really happened and learn from it.''
Contends Mohammed, the two most important figures in Ghanaian history are the late Kwame Nkrumah and Jerry Rawlings. ''Jerry Rawlings is loved by many and hated by some but no one can deny his political stature in Ghanaian history. It is also important to assess the mind of those who hate him''
''The brutality that came and characterized his government made people afraid of him. The general feeling in Ghana now is that if they misbehave, Rawlings will come back. I am not a huge supporter of him but I am a realistic person and no matter what you say, he is a huge force in Ghanaian governance. There was something Rawlings did that worked in Ghana and somehow that thing is still working there till today."
MOHAMMED, who witnessed events of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, commended the efforts of the State government under Babatunde Fashola to promote arts and culture. He said the scale of the festival impressed him immensely. He believes that the festival has great potentials to develop tourism in the state.
''I am impressed by what they tried to achieve; the multiple venues, the performing arts and the culture.
I believe that with the commitment of the Fashola government, Prof. Wole Soyinka and many others, the festival will grow. The Governor seems to have a great idea; he believes that Lagos State's development will affect Nigeria's development and that Nigeria's development will affect the entire West African sub-region''
While in Africa, Mohammed will visit the Kwara State University and the University of Ghana as a guest lecturer. He hopes to take the documentary on a tour of West African cinemas when it is completed.
By Yemi Olakitan
THE story of Ghana and the role played by former President Jerry Rawlings in setting it on a stable political course are the focus of a new documentary that will hit the screens soon. US- based writer and musician, Mohammed Naseehu Ali, who was in Lagos for the Black Heritage Festival recently, is recording the documentary. According to him, it is necessary to record the story of Ghana as she emerged from austerity to prosperity so that African people, especially the youth, can learn from it now and in the future. Mohammed believes that filmmaking is an important tool for democratic development, hence devoting his skill and resources to the current project.
According to him, such a project will enable African people understand and appreciate Ghanaian democracy and see if her experience could be an option for a functional African democracy. Mohammed admitted, however, that Ghana is still growing and there are still many challenges to overcome. We can learn from the past, said Mohammed, adding that he believes that in telling the tales of Ghana's democracy and the role former President Rawlings played, one cannot ignore the power of film to convey messages, and help influence course of society.
Originally from Ghana, Mohammed lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and three children. He is a new generation immigrant to the United States. A graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and Bennington College, Ali has published fictions and essays in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Mississippi Review, Bomb, Gathering of the Tribes, and Essence. He is a versatile writer of short stories and novels. His book, 'The Prophet of Zongo Street,' received wide reviews and acclaim.
Speaking on his origin, Mohammed said he is from a Hausa clan in Ghana. ''Sometimes people in Ghana argue that I am a Nigerian and that there is no Hausa in Ghana while the Hausas in Nigeria say that I am a Ghanaian because the Hausa language I speak is different from theirs; that is why I have decided to be an American in order to put an end to the confusion,'' he said.
On his project, Mohammed said he would be interviewing several African leaders, especially Ghanaian leaders, who witnessed the Jerry Rawlings revolution. He said he intends to make the project all encompassing. The former President, he said, is a colossal figure in Ghanaian politics whose influence cannot be overemphasized.
''Jerry is a very important figure in Ghanaian politics. Where Ghana was in 1979 is not where it is in 2010. Within the space of 30 years, Rawlings has been in the minds of Ghanaians and they have loved and hated him. He is instrumental to the changes we have in Ghana today. As a result of what he did in Ghana, there will never be a coup there again.'' he said.
IN 1979, Rawlings, with six others, was arrested and charged with leading a mutiny of junior officers and sentenced to death. While awaiting an appearance before the court, Rawlings was rescued from custody by a group of soldiers; and with the support of both the military and civilians, he ousted the corrupt Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council to power.
Rawlings signed the orders for the execution of some former military dictators and they were killed under the watch of his government. These former military rulers were Ignatius Kutu Acheamphong, Akwasi Afrifa, and Fred Akuffo. Five other generals Ÿ Joy Amedume, Yaw Boakye, Roger Felli, Kotei, and Utuka were also put to death. Rawlings ruled Ghana for a total of 19 years and contributed to the democratic and economic stability of the country. According to Mohammed, in the 70s Ghana was in a desperate situation under a corrupt leadership but Rawlings contributed to the change in the country's politics and economy.
These historical facts, said Mohammed, must be seen on film. He will also be interviewing ordinary Ghanaians aside political leaders. ''The Nollywood of today is not recording our history. Look at the Nigerian-Biafran war for example, is it on film? It is not enough to write about these events we need to put them on film. We need to tell our stories on film''
''This is my first documentary. I grew up in Ghana and I saw the revolution and I have been writing ever since. I saw the horrors of what was happening. It is a story that I want to go back to and try to understand what really happened and learn from it.''
Contends Mohammed, the two most important figures in Ghanaian history are the late Kwame Nkrumah and Jerry Rawlings. ''Jerry Rawlings is loved by many and hated by some but no one can deny his political stature in Ghanaian history. It is also important to assess the mind of those who hate him''
''The brutality that came and characterized his government made people afraid of him. The general feeling in Ghana now is that if they misbehave, Rawlings will come back. I am not a huge supporter of him but I am a realistic person and no matter what you say, he is a huge force in Ghanaian governance. There was something Rawlings did that worked in Ghana and somehow that thing is still working there till today."
MOHAMMED, who witnessed events of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, commended the efforts of the State government under Babatunde Fashola to promote arts and culture. He said the scale of the festival impressed him immensely. He believes that the festival has great potentials to develop tourism in the state.
''I am impressed by what they tried to achieve; the multiple venues, the performing arts and the culture.
I believe that with the commitment of the Fashola government, Prof. Wole Soyinka and many others, the festival will grow. The Governor seems to have a great idea; he believes that Lagos State's development will affect Nigeria's development and that Nigeria's development will affect the entire West African sub-region''
While in Africa, Mohammed will visit the Kwara State University and the University of Ghana as a guest lecturer. He hopes to take the documentary on a tour of West African cinemas when it is completed.
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Nigerian Media 2009: Smiles and sighs
published in the Guardian Newspapers,
Monday, January 11, 2010
Media 2009: Smiles and sighs
By Yemi Olakitan and Michael Orie
IN many ways, the year 2009 was eventful for the Nigerian media. It was both an interesting and sad year in some respects; a year of mixed happenings, both positive and negative. Many issues came up last year that made it so. The year would definitely remain memorable in the minds of all media stakeholders.
For a start, it was the year that Nigeria celebrated 50 years of television broadcasting. The advertising sector also had its 20th year anniversary celebration amidst funfair. It was also in that year that the media had a parcel bomb attack.
The 50th anniversary of television broadcasting coincided with the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA); hosted by Governor Sullivan Chime at the Nikki Lake Hotel, Enugu State.
Aside the NMMA, there were other awards ceremonies during that year. However, the NMMA was the most interesting because it almost mired as the seemingly lack of preparation by the Enugu State Government was the interesting part of the NMMA event.
Despite these problems, other aspects of the ceremony still went well. One can only hope that the organisers of the NMMA will do a better job in the year 2010 and give Nigerian journalists a befitting award ceremony. Winners of the 19th edition of the NMMA 2009 were The Guardian Newspapers, which bagged the Newspaper of the Year and its editor, Mr. Debo Adesina, who emerged Editor of the Year. There were 47 awards in all, 35 in print, six in radio and six in television media.
As one of the most organised national award schemes in Nigeria, the 2010 edition is billed to hold in Lagos while that of 2011 is scheduled for Borno State in line with an earlier commitment expressed by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to the Trustees of NMMA.
Another media awards ceremony was the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) held at the Oceanview Restaurant in Lagos. Medals were presented for outstanding performance in print, electronic and online media in various categories. It was well attended by stakeholders from all sectors of the media. The DAME awards did not experience the problems encountered by the NMMA handlers.
Also, The Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting also had a successful outing in 2009. Its aim is to encourage the exposure of corruption and human rights abuses in the country through the mechanism of investigative journalism. It also added another feather to its cap by honoring the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. He received the Anti-Corruption Defender Award.
The bomb blast attempt at Superscreen, a Lagos-based television station was another headline event in 2009.
Another incident was the fire outbreak that gutted the multimillion-naira studio of the African Independent Television (AIT), Alagbado, Lagos. The cause of the fire outbreak at AIT is yet to be ascertained.
As usual, media debt remained one of the major challenges of the sector in the year under review. It has been identified as one of the banes of the media marketing sector. Huge debt in the media has come to remain a consistent issue every year without the possibility of resolution.
It seems to have become a culture among advertising practitioners to owe media houses huge debts running into billions. This practice has come to be accepted by the media organisations themselves, who are helpless about the problem. Their continued patronage means they must succumb to such debts and continue to render media services to the debtor companies despite unpaid debts with the hope that they will pay someday.
Piling up debts affect media houses. It is a way of killing the media sector since media houses cannot continue to run their operations without adequate funds. These debts might also kill negatively affect advertising agencies themselves as it shows lack of integrity and bad management. Advertising agencies must learn to operate within operational parameters of agency commissions and pay media houses as and when due for services rendered.
The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) was one of the major actors and headliners in 2009. The state government outlet is charged with the responsibility of ensuring sanity and orderliness on roads and streets in Lagos metropolis in addition to adding beauty to these public utilities. It also wants to generate income for infrastructural development.
However, the agency has continued to receive criticisms from the outdoor advertising companies who have not minced words in condemning the activities of LASAA since they were commissioned. LASAA had gone to the streets of Lagos to uproot billboards and signpost worth millions of naira. The act resulted in untold hardships for the outdoor advertising companies. While the objective of the state government seems a noble one, it should however ensure the survival and thriving of outdoor advertising business.
One thing to avoid is oligopoly and unemployment. If outdoor advertising companies fold up, many Lagosians in that sector will become jobless, which will further worsen the economic and poverty situation. This is already happening in the banking sector. LASAA must engage the companies in solidarity, roundtable dialogue and, work together to build a better outdoor advertising sector for all stakeholders in such a way that the companies also prosper.
One of the unresolved media issues in the out-gone year is the non-passage of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOIB), in spite of the agitation and aggressive campaign by the stakeholders. It was promise upon promise by the legislators that the bill would be passed. But the introduction of new Media/Nigerian Press Council Bill strained the perceived cordial relationship between the media and the lawmakers when the media stakeholders stood firmly against the new bill without minding the personality of its sponsor, Hon. Abike Dabiri. It is hoped that the issue will be resolved early this year, and the uncertainty that has continued to surround the FOIB will be cleared in 2010.
At present, Nigeria has no law, which guarantees citizens access to public records and information. A situation where many Nigerian laws have secrecy clauses prohibiting the disclosure of information such as the Official Secret Act, the Criminal Code, the Penal Code and many others cannot help democracy. Most public servants are made to swear to oaths of secrecy when employed and the general consequence of this is an entrenched culture of impunity.
However, and in the face of mounting criticism, the National Assembly Committee in charge of issues pertaining to the bill has refuted claims that the proposed law has gotten stuck in legislative limbo. They are said to be fine-tuning aspects that will affect national security.
Last year, there was a lot of advocacy on the benefits of community radio in the country. However, despite the announcement by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) that it will soon launch community radio broadcasting, not much has been achieved in that regard. Nigeria, with its huge population, no doubt requires an effective media, not only for the advancement of its nascent democracy, but also for her economic prosperity.
Radio remains the only medium of mass communication that has the capacity to reach the widest possible communities, even in the remote areas. The expectation is high that the issue of community radio will be resolved promptly this year.
It was also in 2009 that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) celebrated its 20th year anniversary. The anniversary was held both at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja and the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a gathering of who is who in the advertising sector. The council also used the anniversary to honour former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who signed into law the decree establishing the council 20 years ago.
APCON was established by Act No 55 of 1988 and revised by Act No 93 of 1992 to regulate advertising practice in Nigeria. It also honoured Prince Tony Momoh and Prince Bola Ajibola, who were both ministers under General Babangida when the APCON law was signed.
Other Nigerians who were also honoured included Professor Charles Okigbo, who was the pioneer registrar of the council, Dr. May Nzeribe, who was honoured for being the third chairman and Chief Olu Falomo, for being the second. They were conferred with the APCON Special Recognition Awards. A number of distinguished practitioners also became fellows in 2009. Some of them were Mr. Yinka Adepoju, and Mrs. Bunmi Oke, who became the first female practitioner to rise to such a level in the industry, Mr. Rufai Ladipo and Feyijimi Awosika.
The saddest part in 2009, however, was the gruesome murder of the late Bayo Ohu of The Guardian newspaper. Bayo was murdered in cold blood in his apartment at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, by unknown gunmen. Ohu was another in the long list of journalists murder in Nigeria since Dele Giwa in 1996, who was killed by a parcel bomb.
The gruesome murder of Ohu has yet again exposed the Nigerian Police for its ineptitude at bursting crime in the country, especially murder cases. In spite of their promise to unravel the mystery behind the murder nothing has happened ever since. The incidents of unsolved murders in Nigeria are worrisome to many, especially to the media that has been a victim on many occasions. Therefore, the Federal Government has been urged to take another look at security issues in the country with a view to safeguarding members of the public.
Another important issue in 2009 was the campaign to facilitate the actualization of the June 17, 2012 deadline for switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting. The Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), the umbrella body for the electronic media organisations (public and private) in the country dedicated its 51st General Assembly held at the Radio Lagos/Eko FM to the issue.
With the theme Countdown to 2012: Mid-Term Peer Review on Digital Transition, the choice of Lagos as venue was understandable. It has the largest concentration of radio and television stations in the country. Since the bulk of the nation's broadcasting industry and its appendages are based in the state, the success or failure of the nation's quest to transit from analogue to digital broadcasting will begin with high level compliance of radio and television stations that are located the city.
At the Lagos gathering, huge investment in broadcast equipment and manpower training was also advocated as necessary step to enable the broadcast media operators make informed choices and correct judgments in selecting when to move and in what direction.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Media 2009: Smiles and sighs
By Yemi Olakitan and Michael Orie
IN many ways, the year 2009 was eventful for the Nigerian media. It was both an interesting and sad year in some respects; a year of mixed happenings, both positive and negative. Many issues came up last year that made it so. The year would definitely remain memorable in the minds of all media stakeholders.
For a start, it was the year that Nigeria celebrated 50 years of television broadcasting. The advertising sector also had its 20th year anniversary celebration amidst funfair. It was also in that year that the media had a parcel bomb attack.
The 50th anniversary of television broadcasting coincided with the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA); hosted by Governor Sullivan Chime at the Nikki Lake Hotel, Enugu State.
Aside the NMMA, there were other awards ceremonies during that year. However, the NMMA was the most interesting because it almost mired as the seemingly lack of preparation by the Enugu State Government was the interesting part of the NMMA event.
Despite these problems, other aspects of the ceremony still went well. One can only hope that the organisers of the NMMA will do a better job in the year 2010 and give Nigerian journalists a befitting award ceremony. Winners of the 19th edition of the NMMA 2009 were The Guardian Newspapers, which bagged the Newspaper of the Year and its editor, Mr. Debo Adesina, who emerged Editor of the Year. There were 47 awards in all, 35 in print, six in radio and six in television media.
As one of the most organised national award schemes in Nigeria, the 2010 edition is billed to hold in Lagos while that of 2011 is scheduled for Borno State in line with an earlier commitment expressed by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to the Trustees of NMMA.
Another media awards ceremony was the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) held at the Oceanview Restaurant in Lagos. Medals were presented for outstanding performance in print, electronic and online media in various categories. It was well attended by stakeholders from all sectors of the media. The DAME awards did not experience the problems encountered by the NMMA handlers.
Also, The Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting also had a successful outing in 2009. Its aim is to encourage the exposure of corruption and human rights abuses in the country through the mechanism of investigative journalism. It also added another feather to its cap by honoring the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. He received the Anti-Corruption Defender Award.
The bomb blast attempt at Superscreen, a Lagos-based television station was another headline event in 2009.
Another incident was the fire outbreak that gutted the multimillion-naira studio of the African Independent Television (AIT), Alagbado, Lagos. The cause of the fire outbreak at AIT is yet to be ascertained.
As usual, media debt remained one of the major challenges of the sector in the year under review. It has been identified as one of the banes of the media marketing sector. Huge debt in the media has come to remain a consistent issue every year without the possibility of resolution.
It seems to have become a culture among advertising practitioners to owe media houses huge debts running into billions. This practice has come to be accepted by the media organisations themselves, who are helpless about the problem. Their continued patronage means they must succumb to such debts and continue to render media services to the debtor companies despite unpaid debts with the hope that they will pay someday.
Piling up debts affect media houses. It is a way of killing the media sector since media houses cannot continue to run their operations without adequate funds. These debts might also kill negatively affect advertising agencies themselves as it shows lack of integrity and bad management. Advertising agencies must learn to operate within operational parameters of agency commissions and pay media houses as and when due for services rendered.
The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) was one of the major actors and headliners in 2009. The state government outlet is charged with the responsibility of ensuring sanity and orderliness on roads and streets in Lagos metropolis in addition to adding beauty to these public utilities. It also wants to generate income for infrastructural development.
However, the agency has continued to receive criticisms from the outdoor advertising companies who have not minced words in condemning the activities of LASAA since they were commissioned. LASAA had gone to the streets of Lagos to uproot billboards and signpost worth millions of naira. The act resulted in untold hardships for the outdoor advertising companies. While the objective of the state government seems a noble one, it should however ensure the survival and thriving of outdoor advertising business.
One thing to avoid is oligopoly and unemployment. If outdoor advertising companies fold up, many Lagosians in that sector will become jobless, which will further worsen the economic and poverty situation. This is already happening in the banking sector. LASAA must engage the companies in solidarity, roundtable dialogue and, work together to build a better outdoor advertising sector for all stakeholders in such a way that the companies also prosper.
One of the unresolved media issues in the out-gone year is the non-passage of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOIB), in spite of the agitation and aggressive campaign by the stakeholders. It was promise upon promise by the legislators that the bill would be passed. But the introduction of new Media/Nigerian Press Council Bill strained the perceived cordial relationship between the media and the lawmakers when the media stakeholders stood firmly against the new bill without minding the personality of its sponsor, Hon. Abike Dabiri. It is hoped that the issue will be resolved early this year, and the uncertainty that has continued to surround the FOIB will be cleared in 2010.
At present, Nigeria has no law, which guarantees citizens access to public records and information. A situation where many Nigerian laws have secrecy clauses prohibiting the disclosure of information such as the Official Secret Act, the Criminal Code, the Penal Code and many others cannot help democracy. Most public servants are made to swear to oaths of secrecy when employed and the general consequence of this is an entrenched culture of impunity.
However, and in the face of mounting criticism, the National Assembly Committee in charge of issues pertaining to the bill has refuted claims that the proposed law has gotten stuck in legislative limbo. They are said to be fine-tuning aspects that will affect national security.
Last year, there was a lot of advocacy on the benefits of community radio in the country. However, despite the announcement by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) that it will soon launch community radio broadcasting, not much has been achieved in that regard. Nigeria, with its huge population, no doubt requires an effective media, not only for the advancement of its nascent democracy, but also for her economic prosperity.
Radio remains the only medium of mass communication that has the capacity to reach the widest possible communities, even in the remote areas. The expectation is high that the issue of community radio will be resolved promptly this year.
It was also in 2009 that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) celebrated its 20th year anniversary. The anniversary was held both at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja and the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a gathering of who is who in the advertising sector. The council also used the anniversary to honour former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who signed into law the decree establishing the council 20 years ago.
APCON was established by Act No 55 of 1988 and revised by Act No 93 of 1992 to regulate advertising practice in Nigeria. It also honoured Prince Tony Momoh and Prince Bola Ajibola, who were both ministers under General Babangida when the APCON law was signed.
Other Nigerians who were also honoured included Professor Charles Okigbo, who was the pioneer registrar of the council, Dr. May Nzeribe, who was honoured for being the third chairman and Chief Olu Falomo, for being the second. They were conferred with the APCON Special Recognition Awards. A number of distinguished practitioners also became fellows in 2009. Some of them were Mr. Yinka Adepoju, and Mrs. Bunmi Oke, who became the first female practitioner to rise to such a level in the industry, Mr. Rufai Ladipo and Feyijimi Awosika.
The saddest part in 2009, however, was the gruesome murder of the late Bayo Ohu of The Guardian newspaper. Bayo was murdered in cold blood in his apartment at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, by unknown gunmen. Ohu was another in the long list of journalists murder in Nigeria since Dele Giwa in 1996, who was killed by a parcel bomb.
The gruesome murder of Ohu has yet again exposed the Nigerian Police for its ineptitude at bursting crime in the country, especially murder cases. In spite of their promise to unravel the mystery behind the murder nothing has happened ever since. The incidents of unsolved murders in Nigeria are worrisome to many, especially to the media that has been a victim on many occasions. Therefore, the Federal Government has been urged to take another look at security issues in the country with a view to safeguarding members of the public.
Another important issue in 2009 was the campaign to facilitate the actualization of the June 17, 2012 deadline for switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting. The Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), the umbrella body for the electronic media organisations (public and private) in the country dedicated its 51st General Assembly held at the Radio Lagos/Eko FM to the issue.
With the theme Countdown to 2012: Mid-Term Peer Review on Digital Transition, the choice of Lagos as venue was understandable. It has the largest concentration of radio and television stations in the country. Since the bulk of the nation's broadcasting industry and its appendages are based in the state, the success or failure of the nation's quest to transit from analogue to digital broadcasting will begin with high level compliance of radio and television stations that are located the city.
At the Lagos gathering, huge investment in broadcast equipment and manpower training was also advocated as necessary step to enable the broadcast media operators make informed choices and correct judgments in selecting when to move and in what direction.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Bumper harvest from CBAAC in 2009
Bumper harvest from CBAAC in 2009
By Yemi Olakitan
published in the Guardian News Papers
on Friday,8th January,2010
WHEN in 1979 the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo established the center for Black and African Arts Civilization, CBAAC it charged it with the responsibility of promoting public interest in African arts, culture and civilization. Since that time, the center has grown from strength to strength in the fulfillment of its statutory duties to black Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Over the years, the center has continued to work on that mandate after the festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC 77 that took place in Lagos, Nigeria. CBAAC has continued to propagate its mission through workshops, symposium, lectures performances, and many other activities that stimulate public interest in arts and culture. It had also continued to preserve and acquire more materials in addition to the ones that were entrusted to it after FESTAC 77.
The year 2009 was a year of achievements and success for the center. It was a year of a series of activities and events that make everyone agree that the centre is making huge progress in its avowed goals and objectives. The month of February 2009 was the celebration of Black History Month, which was held at the Trenchard Hall of University of Ibadan. It featured a week long exhibition, cultural performances and a public lecture titled: 'Advancing and integrating African values, Ethics and Norms in the interest of Africans and Africans in diasporas,'' the lecture was delivered by Dr. Maltloeng Matlou, Executive Director, Africa institute of South Africa, AISA. The event was climaxed by the official Commissioning of the Center's outreach office at the institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Another interesting event was the Summit/ Colloquium of agencies and organization responsible for the management of African Arts and Culture in Africa and the diasporas, held at Hotel Mont Febe, Yaound�, Cameroon from 7th to 10th April 209. The colloquium tagged (SICADIA 2009) with the theme: African Culture in the Globalize World of the 21st century was a follow up to the first summit held at the instance of CBAAC in Lagos on the 21st and 23rd of August 2007 and a roundtable on African Cultural institutions that was organized in Algiers in October 2008. Attendance at the summit cut across the various regions in Africa with delegates from Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Chad, Congo, Niger, Central Africa Republic, among others. It also had institutional representation from from the African Union, Observatory for cultural Practices in Africa (OCPA) center for Bantu Civilization CICIBA, African union Center for Oral Tradition and Oral history, Pan African strategic and policy Reaserach Group, UNESCO, West African Museum Project, amongst others.
A Public Lecture on African indigenous languages, held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Plot 779, Cadastral Zone AO, Central Business District, Near Kumasi House, Abuja, Nigeria on the 7th of May was also a huge success, in 2009. The lecture was delivered by Professor Kwesi Kwaa Prah, Director for Advanced Studies of African Societies, Cape Town, South Africa, The topic of the lecture was: African Languages, African Development and African Unity. It was attended by Senator Bello Jibril Gada, the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and Dr.Goke Adegoroye, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourim, Culure and National orientation amngst others.
CBAAC's annual international Children's Day, May 27 209, held in Collaboration with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria SPAN, and MTN Nigeria Communications Limited featured performances by School Children, poetic renditions by participating children and competitive inter-schools debates. The programme enjoyed the support and patronage of Cadbury Nigeria Plc. De United Foods industries, Nestle PLC, Seven UP PLC, and SCOA, among others, The winning school went away with a trophy donated by his royal Highness, Oba Dokun Abolarin, Aroyekeye 1, The Orangun of Oke Ila, Oke Ila Ornagun, Osun state, It had in attendance pupils from forty one secondary schools in around Lagos state.
In the area of Visual Arts, the center featured an international Exhibition titled: Seen and Heard at the 2nd Pan African Cultural Festival held at Algiers, July 22nd 2009.Professor Funso Aiyejina of the University of West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago delivered CBAAC's annual public Lecture held on July 23, 2009.
The 2009 edition of the annual lecture titled: Esu Elegbara: A source of an Alter/Native Theory of African Literature and Criticms'' held at the Cinema Hall of the National Theater, Iganmu Lagos also had a successful outing. The event had in attendance Senator Bako Gasol, Chairman, senate Committee on culture and Tourism, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, permanent Secretary.
As part of efforts aim at sustaining African Literature, encourage intellectual activities, human potential development, particularly in the area of literature, CBAAC hosted the maiden edition of its African Writers series Programme at the Cultural Center in Abuja on the 17th of September, 2009. The event brought together authors and students in a close contact in appreciation of creativity works and with the purpose of impacting positive values in would be authors and writers through reading of literary works and inter group exchanges. Mr. George Ufot, Director of Culture represented senator Jibril Bello Gada, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation. The center also had a Collaboration/Partnership with international organisations in order to foster cooperation and cross-border exchanges. It signed two different Memoranda of Understanding with the Africa institute of South Africa and the Regional Center for research and Documentation on Oral Tradition and Development of African Languages in Cameroon.
In November 9-13, 2009; the center hosted the 5th edition of its international Conference series in Brasilia, Brazil. The Colloquium was on the theme: Teaching and Propagating African Diasporas History, History of integration in West Africa. Prof of History at Cheikh Anta Diop University and fellow at CODESTRIA, Dakar Senegal, gave the keynote address titled: The History of Africa and the Africa Diasporas in the 21st Century.
The Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Bello Sheidu Ozigis represented the Nigerian Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Senator Jubril Bello Gada, Senator Yisa Burahimo, Chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Hon KGB Oguakwa, Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Federal Republic of Nigeria Representative of Brazil's special Secretariat for the promotion of policies on Racial Equality, were all present.
The Presidency Brazil, Mrs. Magali Naves, Director of the Department of international cooperation's, Mr. George Ufot, Ag.Director of Culture, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Nigeria; Professor Molara Ogundipe, Profesor of English Africana and Gender studies, and a renown scholar of international repute; Prof. JM Mabeko Tali, Professor of History at Howard University and member of the UNESCO's scientific Committee for the Pedagogical Use of the General History of Africa, he also represented Mr. Ali Mousa Iye,Chief of History and Culture, UNESCO, Professor Dele Layiwola, Director Institute of African studies, University of Ibadan; Professor Ibrahim Maina Waziri, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, Prof. Kofi Kandiyohi, a poet and Professor of Literature at the University of Ghana; Professor N.Adre Siamundele, Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Wells College Aurora, New York, USA were all present. The Colloquium had participants and delegates from twenty-two countries drawn from all continents of the world including Brazil, Nigeria, Canada, Denmark, Congo, USA, UK, Mexico, Senegal, and Colombia. Other countries included Argentina, Ghana, Paraguay, Mozambique, Cameroon, Cuba, South Africa, Cape Verde, Namibia, and France. They were in attendance at the Colloquium.It was an immensely successful event. The center had also increased its publications to 58 with 5 new books 2 monographs on the subjects of, arts, culture, heritage, peoples and history.
The Children's Christmas Cultural Festival which was held in December 10, 2009 aim to re-establish traditional arts and culture and confidence of the Black and African Peoples in the youths and children. The center hosted a one-day cultural festival on the 10th of December 2009 at the National Arts Theater Iganmu, Lagos, on n the same subject, more than 30 schools participated in the celebration. Yisa Brahimo, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Seyi Womiloju, the Chairman, Senator Grace Folashade Bent, Mr. Kabir Yusuf, The General Manager National Arts Theater, Prof. Akachi A dimorah Ezeigbo, Head of English, University of Lagos, were all in attendance.
In the year 2009, the Center gave support to programme/projects directed towards extending the frontiers of African arts and culture. Some of these included support and sponsorship of: NANTAP Commemorative Lectures to celebrate NANTAP at the 20th international Theater Day on Wednesday 25th of March 2009. Another project supported by the center was the 2nd Ife Film Festival held at the Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, January 26th to 30th 2009. The center also had a Roundtable on Religion, Ethics and Corruption in Nigeria at the University of Ibadan. It Collaborated with the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos on a conference and arts exhibitions titled: Revisiting the Restitution of Cultural Artifacts, between September to November 2009. It also had Collaboration with the Institute of cultural studies, Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile ife on an international Conference based on the African Indigenous Judicial Systems in August 2009. In all, the center has succeeded tremendously in making the 2009 a year of grand achievements in the promotion African arts, culture and civilization.
By Yemi Olakitan
published in the Guardian News Papers
on Friday,8th January,2010
WHEN in 1979 the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo established the center for Black and African Arts Civilization, CBAAC it charged it with the responsibility of promoting public interest in African arts, culture and civilization. Since that time, the center has grown from strength to strength in the fulfillment of its statutory duties to black Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Over the years, the center has continued to work on that mandate after the festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC 77 that took place in Lagos, Nigeria. CBAAC has continued to propagate its mission through workshops, symposium, lectures performances, and many other activities that stimulate public interest in arts and culture. It had also continued to preserve and acquire more materials in addition to the ones that were entrusted to it after FESTAC 77.
The year 2009 was a year of achievements and success for the center. It was a year of a series of activities and events that make everyone agree that the centre is making huge progress in its avowed goals and objectives. The month of February 2009 was the celebration of Black History Month, which was held at the Trenchard Hall of University of Ibadan. It featured a week long exhibition, cultural performances and a public lecture titled: 'Advancing and integrating African values, Ethics and Norms in the interest of Africans and Africans in diasporas,'' the lecture was delivered by Dr. Maltloeng Matlou, Executive Director, Africa institute of South Africa, AISA. The event was climaxed by the official Commissioning of the Center's outreach office at the institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Another interesting event was the Summit/ Colloquium of agencies and organization responsible for the management of African Arts and Culture in Africa and the diasporas, held at Hotel Mont Febe, Yaound�, Cameroon from 7th to 10th April 209. The colloquium tagged (SICADIA 2009) with the theme: African Culture in the Globalize World of the 21st century was a follow up to the first summit held at the instance of CBAAC in Lagos on the 21st and 23rd of August 2007 and a roundtable on African Cultural institutions that was organized in Algiers in October 2008. Attendance at the summit cut across the various regions in Africa with delegates from Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Chad, Congo, Niger, Central Africa Republic, among others. It also had institutional representation from from the African Union, Observatory for cultural Practices in Africa (OCPA) center for Bantu Civilization CICIBA, African union Center for Oral Tradition and Oral history, Pan African strategic and policy Reaserach Group, UNESCO, West African Museum Project, amongst others.
A Public Lecture on African indigenous languages, held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Plot 779, Cadastral Zone AO, Central Business District, Near Kumasi House, Abuja, Nigeria on the 7th of May was also a huge success, in 2009. The lecture was delivered by Professor Kwesi Kwaa Prah, Director for Advanced Studies of African Societies, Cape Town, South Africa, The topic of the lecture was: African Languages, African Development and African Unity. It was attended by Senator Bello Jibril Gada, the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and Dr.Goke Adegoroye, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourim, Culure and National orientation amngst others.
CBAAC's annual international Children's Day, May 27 209, held in Collaboration with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria SPAN, and MTN Nigeria Communications Limited featured performances by School Children, poetic renditions by participating children and competitive inter-schools debates. The programme enjoyed the support and patronage of Cadbury Nigeria Plc. De United Foods industries, Nestle PLC, Seven UP PLC, and SCOA, among others, The winning school went away with a trophy donated by his royal Highness, Oba Dokun Abolarin, Aroyekeye 1, The Orangun of Oke Ila, Oke Ila Ornagun, Osun state, It had in attendance pupils from forty one secondary schools in around Lagos state.
In the area of Visual Arts, the center featured an international Exhibition titled: Seen and Heard at the 2nd Pan African Cultural Festival held at Algiers, July 22nd 2009.Professor Funso Aiyejina of the University of West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago delivered CBAAC's annual public Lecture held on July 23, 2009.
The 2009 edition of the annual lecture titled: Esu Elegbara: A source of an Alter/Native Theory of African Literature and Criticms'' held at the Cinema Hall of the National Theater, Iganmu Lagos also had a successful outing. The event had in attendance Senator Bako Gasol, Chairman, senate Committee on culture and Tourism, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, permanent Secretary.
As part of efforts aim at sustaining African Literature, encourage intellectual activities, human potential development, particularly in the area of literature, CBAAC hosted the maiden edition of its African Writers series Programme at the Cultural Center in Abuja on the 17th of September, 2009. The event brought together authors and students in a close contact in appreciation of creativity works and with the purpose of impacting positive values in would be authors and writers through reading of literary works and inter group exchanges. Mr. George Ufot, Director of Culture represented senator Jibril Bello Gada, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation. The center also had a Collaboration/Partnership with international organisations in order to foster cooperation and cross-border exchanges. It signed two different Memoranda of Understanding with the Africa institute of South Africa and the Regional Center for research and Documentation on Oral Tradition and Development of African Languages in Cameroon.
In November 9-13, 2009; the center hosted the 5th edition of its international Conference series in Brasilia, Brazil. The Colloquium was on the theme: Teaching and Propagating African Diasporas History, History of integration in West Africa. Prof of History at Cheikh Anta Diop University and fellow at CODESTRIA, Dakar Senegal, gave the keynote address titled: The History of Africa and the Africa Diasporas in the 21st Century.
The Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Bello Sheidu Ozigis represented the Nigerian Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Senator Jubril Bello Gada, Senator Yisa Burahimo, Chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Hon KGB Oguakwa, Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Federal Republic of Nigeria Representative of Brazil's special Secretariat for the promotion of policies on Racial Equality, were all present.
The Presidency Brazil, Mrs. Magali Naves, Director of the Department of international cooperation's, Mr. George Ufot, Ag.Director of Culture, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Nigeria; Professor Molara Ogundipe, Profesor of English Africana and Gender studies, and a renown scholar of international repute; Prof. JM Mabeko Tali, Professor of History at Howard University and member of the UNESCO's scientific Committee for the Pedagogical Use of the General History of Africa, he also represented Mr. Ali Mousa Iye,Chief of History and Culture, UNESCO, Professor Dele Layiwola, Director Institute of African studies, University of Ibadan; Professor Ibrahim Maina Waziri, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, Prof. Kofi Kandiyohi, a poet and Professor of Literature at the University of Ghana; Professor N.Adre Siamundele, Assistant Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Wells College Aurora, New York, USA were all present. The Colloquium had participants and delegates from twenty-two countries drawn from all continents of the world including Brazil, Nigeria, Canada, Denmark, Congo, USA, UK, Mexico, Senegal, and Colombia. Other countries included Argentina, Ghana, Paraguay, Mozambique, Cameroon, Cuba, South Africa, Cape Verde, Namibia, and France. They were in attendance at the Colloquium.It was an immensely successful event. The center had also increased its publications to 58 with 5 new books 2 monographs on the subjects of, arts, culture, heritage, peoples and history.
The Children's Christmas Cultural Festival which was held in December 10, 2009 aim to re-establish traditional arts and culture and confidence of the Black and African Peoples in the youths and children. The center hosted a one-day cultural festival on the 10th of December 2009 at the National Arts Theater Iganmu, Lagos, on n the same subject, more than 30 schools participated in the celebration. Yisa Brahimo, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Seyi Womiloju, the Chairman, Senator Grace Folashade Bent, Mr. Kabir Yusuf, The General Manager National Arts Theater, Prof. Akachi A dimorah Ezeigbo, Head of English, University of Lagos, were all in attendance.
In the year 2009, the Center gave support to programme/projects directed towards extending the frontiers of African arts and culture. Some of these included support and sponsorship of: NANTAP Commemorative Lectures to celebrate NANTAP at the 20th international Theater Day on Wednesday 25th of March 2009. Another project supported by the center was the 2nd Ife Film Festival held at the Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, January 26th to 30th 2009. The center also had a Roundtable on Religion, Ethics and Corruption in Nigeria at the University of Ibadan. It Collaborated with the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos on a conference and arts exhibitions titled: Revisiting the Restitution of Cultural Artifacts, between September to November 2009. It also had Collaboration with the Institute of cultural studies, Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile ife on an international Conference based on the African Indigenous Judicial Systems in August 2009. In all, the center has succeeded tremendously in making the 2009 a year of grand achievements in the promotion African arts, culture and civilization.
Friday, 1 January 2010
Nigerian Media 2009: An eventful year
unpublished versiion
By Yemi Olakitan
In many ways, the year 2009 was an eventful year for the Nigerian media. It was both an interesting and sad year for the media in some respects; a year of mixed occurences, both postive and negative. Numerous issues and events came up during this year to make it so. The year will definitely remain memorable in the minds of all media stakeholders. It was in that year that the Nigerian media lost one of its brilliant journalists, the late Bayo Ohu of the Guardian Newspapers, Bayo was murdered in cold blood in his apartment at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb by unknown gunmen.A visibly shaken editor of the Guardian,Debo Adesian who visited the hospital expressed the general exasperation at the loss. Ohu was yet another, in the list of journalists' murder in Nigeria. One was Dele Giwa, Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, who was killed by means of a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986.
Another journalist, Godwin Agbroko, the Editorial Board Chairman of ThisDay newspaper, was gunned down at Oshodi-Mile Two Expressway in 2006 on Christmas Eve. Yet, another puzzling death was that of Abayomi Ogundeji, also a member of the Editorial Board of ThisDay newspaper on August 17, 2008. He was shot in his vehicle on his way from work late in the evening. The gruesome murder of Bayo Ohu happened to fall on the list of major events in the media sector during the year 2009 and it was the sad one. The Nigerian Police, as always, promised to unravel the mystery behind the murder but nothing has been heard hitherto.
Media Awards
True, the death of Bayo Ohu was sad and tragic especially for the Guardian Newspapers. It was also during that year that the Guardian won the Newspaper of the year award twice. It was given by two separate entities. The Nigerian Media Merit Award,NMMA which gave the award to the Guardian first at Nikki Lake Resort, Enugu where the ceremony was held while the Diamond Media Merit Awards, DAME honoured the newspaper at Ocenview Restaurant in Lagos..
Another media award in that year was the Wole Soyinka Award for investigative Reporting.The Wole Soyinka Award for investigative Reporting aim to encourage the exposure of corruption and human rights abuses in the country through the mechanism of investigative journalism . The body gave prizes to various journalists from the print,radio, television and online category. It also added another feather to its cap by honouring the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The Wole Soyinka award for forinvestigative Reporting reamin one of the prestigious awrds in the Nigerian media sector.
However, the most interesting of the awards ceremonies was the NMMA in Enugu that almost turn into a Drama with the unexpected absence of the Governor and the cold reception given to journalist that vsisted the cold city. The prize given ceremony nearly flopped due to the unexpedted absence of the Governor who was to preside over the opening ceremony. According to earlier reports on the events the event did not finish untill about 2 a.m. and guests witnessed a rushed ceremony.
There were conflicting reports on the state of health of the Governor as many said he could not attend because of his health. There were also unconfirmed reports that he was poisoned at another event. The secanario made the 2009 event less memorable compared to other ones that were hosted in previous years. There were signs of lack of adequate preparation when journalists were taken round the state to have a first hand coverage of the State Government's various projects. This exercise was cut short when it was discovered that officials at some of the places visited were not aware that such visitors were coming. At one of the venues, journalists were barred from taken pictures. The angry journalists eventually demanded to be taken back to their hotel rooms, as it was apparent that the state government did not inform most of the officials at the designated projects sites about the tour. One can only hope that the organizers of the NMMA will do better in the year 2010 and give the Nigerian journalist a more befitting event.
Winners of the 19th edition of the NMMA 2009 were The Guardian Newspapers, which bagged the Newspaper of the Year and its editor, Debo Adesina, who won the Editor of the Year. There were 47 awards in all, 35 in print, six in radio and six in television media Initially slated for November 6 and 8, the shift in date was due to the FIFA’s U-17 soccer championship being hosted in eight cities across the country including Enugu state at the time. As one of the most organized national Award scheme in Nigeria, NMMA future hosting for 2010 have been confirmed, the event will be holding in Lagos while that of 2011 is scheduled for Borno State in line with an earlier commitment of hosting expressed by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to the Trustees of NMMA.
One of the negative event was the recent bomb blast attempt at a Lagos televison station; Superscreeen . An Eyewitness to the incident was a media executive who spoke with the Guardian Newspaper in anonymity.He was on a business visit to the superscreen office during the explosion. He said he narrowly escaped death as he was on the 3rd floor of the building when the bomb exploded. The bomber himself was on the 4th floor. He revealed hat he was able to engage the bomber in some questioning before the police arrived. The bomber came up with a story that a certain man gave him the wrapped bomb, at gunpoint and asked him to deliver it to the television station. The bomber who failed in his mission had his hands and a limb cut off and was blinded by the explosion. When asked why he unwrapped the bomb, the bomber said he did so out of curiosity, since the bomb was wrapped like a chritsmass gift. He in police custody receiving medical attention. All these is part of the risks that journalists face in discharging their duties; the risks to life and property. It shows that socity as a responsibility to protect media men and their place of work. Many journalists risk their lives daily by reporting the truth and therr many men who do not want the truth reported and they will do anything to eliminate those who try to report the truth. Another incident was the fire outbreak that gutted the multimillion-naira African Independent Television studio, the Dome. The entire AIT studios were nearly razed by December. The cause of the fire outbreak at AIT is yet to be ascertained, although some have attributed it to saboteurs.
Media debt
Media debt remains one of the major challenges of the media sector in year 2009. It has been identified as one of the banes of the communication sector. Huge debt in the media has come to remain with us. It has become a culture among advertising practicitioners to owe media houses huge debts running into millions. This practice has come to be accepted by the media organizations themselves who felt that thee is nothing they can do to stop the problem if they want continued patronage they most continued to render media services to the debtor companies despite huge unpaid debts.
Speaking with Mr. Taiwo Ayodeji, CEO Tee-mark Limited, an integrated marketing communications and advertising agency. He said the idea of piling up debts affect media houses. It is a way of killing the media sector since they cannot continue to run their operations without adequate fund. According to him these debts would kill off such advertising agencies themselves eventually because it is a sign of lack of integrity and bad management and it will run into other sensitive areas in the company.
Ayodeji said advertising agencies must learn to operate within the confinement of their agency commission and pay the media houses as soon as they render the required services. ‘‘This is the only way there could be peace in the business environment and when there is peace, there would be progress,” he said.
While saying noting that the culture of media debts is must end for the sake of progress in the entire media sector, Ayodeji noted that agencies, which owe huge sums of money, are usually those that treat their staff badly. “Members of staff should be seen as key partners in the company, not merely employees,” he said. This, according to him, will help the advertising agencies to grow in leaps and bounds.
The Lagos Signage and Advertising Agencies was one of the major actors in 209. The Lagos State government said it wants to ensure that the streets are orderly and that billboards are not placed haphazardly. It also wants to generate income for infrastructural development. However they have continued to receive critisms for the outdoor advertising companies who have not mince words in condemning the activities of LASAA. As reported, LASAA had went out into the streets of Lagos uprooting billboards and signpost worth millions of naira.
While the objective of the state government is noble they should ensure that the industry do not die because of the activities of LASAA. One thing to avoid is oligopoly and a rise unemployment. If outdoor advertsising companies fold up, many Lagosians in that sector will become unemployed wich will further increase the poverty level. LASAA must engage the companies in solidarity roundtable dialogue and work together to build a better outdoor advertising sector for Lagos.
The Freedom of Information Bill
Chief of the issues in 2009 was the freedom of information bill sponsored by Journalist/senator, Hon. Abike Dabiri. The Freedom of information Bill had been with the Nigerian parliament since 1999. President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to sign it then for fear that it will give foregners access to official information. However, the Bill, if passed into law, will give every Nigerian a legal right of access to information, records, and documents held by government bodies and private bodies; carrying out public functions. Information has been described as the vehicles of democracy. It is near impossible to fight corruption without access to information that could expose corrupt public officials. The freedom of information Bill applies to all arms of government: the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary as well as to all tiers of government: Federal, State, and Local governments.
At present, Nigeria has no law, which guarantees citizens access to public records and information.
A situation where many Nigerian laws have secrecy clauses prohibiting the disclosure of information such as, the Official Secret Act, the Criminal Code, the Penal Code and many more cannot help our democracy. Most public servants are made to swear to oaths of secrecy when employed and the general consequence of these is an entrenched culture of secrecy This will not help public opinion, and professional journalism. It will also cover government inadequacies and corruption.
The freedom of information bill has continued to generate interest since inception. However it has continued to be delayed for reasons that are not clear.
However, The National Assembly Committee in charge of issues pertaining to the bill has refuted claims that the proposed law has gotten stuck in a legislative limbo. According to Deputy Chairman Francis Amadiegwu, "The the lawmakers are fine tuning aspects that will affect national security. He promised that the Freedom of information bill will be passed.
Community Radio
There have been a lot of hullabaloos on the benefits of the community radio in the country even in 2009. However, despite the announcement by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission that it will launch Community broadcasting in Nigeria soon, not much has been achieved in that regard. Nigeria, with its huge population, no doubt required an effective media, not only for the advancement of its nascent democracy, but also for her economic prosperity. Radio remains the only media that has the capacity to reach the widest possible communities in the country. It is the media that can cheaply access the remote areas of our nation. This is because of its portability and affordability. It is also a medium that can defy the epileptic power situation. In a nation where majority of the population remains largely uneducated and illiterate. Community radio stands the chance of being able to inform, enlighten, and mobilize for democratic and economic advancements in all part of the country. With a demographic index of about 150 million people; two of every five West African resides in Nigeria. As the most populous black African nation in the world with reports that Nigeria will hit the 200 million mark in population in the next 15years, Nigeria needs community radio scheme.
It is obvious that the media will play a significant role in shaping our democratic stability and the development of freedom of expressions, information accessibility that will lead to progress. As a result of its pluralist and grassroots-friendly nature, radio has come to be accepted as the pre-eminent medium for development all over the world.
At a forum organized recently for African media Laeders. Media Leaders attended the forum from all over the African Continent, Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Nigeria’s international radio network spoke on the relevance of Community radio in the development of Nigeria’s economic and democratic advancement.
According to Jijiwa radio has demonstrated its power in many parts of the world, radio is continuing to demonstrate the capacity to enhance economic development, contribute to technological growth, improve health and education, strengthen national security, combat crime and corruption, give expression to cultural pluralism and promote democratic process. It is not surprising that many countries in the developing world are putting radio at the center of their millennium development goals.
Nigeria has remained the only country in the ECOWAS sub region without a clear-cut policy framework for the emergence of community radio with all its attendant benefits. What we have in Nigeria his urbanized, private/commercial and public radio stations. Radio stations in Nigeria have concentrated in the city because of the drive for Profit. The government owned radio is clearly not enough to deliver the advantages and benefits of the community radio system in Nigeria.
The African Charter on broadcasting calls for the development of three tier radio environment in which the development of public/service. Private/commercial, and Community radio will work hand in hand to further the goals of democracy, individual freedom of expressions, information dissemination and economic advancement.
Community radio ensures easy governance as the government can measure easily, grassroots response to unpopular or popular government policies. Community radio will expose and monitor crime, ensure accurate information in health related issues and destroy the yoke of ignorance, religious fanaticism, eradicate violence while promoting the values of unity and peaceful co existence.
With the inexhaustible benefits of community radio, it is hoped that that Nigerian Broadcasting Commission will take the bull by the horn and step in quickly to ensure that the nation take its rightful place in community radio broadcasting, thereby reaping the benefits of this indispensable media.
APCON AT 20.
It was also in 2009 that the Advertsising Practictioners Council of Nigeria celebrated its 20th year anniversary. The anniversary was held both at the sheraton Hotesl, Ikeja and the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a gathering of who is who in the advertising sector. The council also used the anniversary to honour former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who signed into law, the decree establishing the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria. the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria has cause to celebrate. it has succeeded in taken advertising to a greater height, making it one of the most advanced sectors of the Nigerian economy; yielding billions of naira in revenue every year, employing hundreds of professionals and training a handful every year. These were the reasons for the gathering of stakeholders in the marketing that sector, Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos on Thursday, November 12, to celebrate 20 years of robust growth and unprecedented achievements in the advertising sector and to honour those, who have been a part of the success story of APCON such as Badamasi Babangida, past Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola and his counterpart then, Prince Tony Momoh (Information).
APCON was established by Act No 55 of 1988 and revised by Act No 93 of 1992 to regulate advertising practice in Nigeria.
The event, which started with a cocktail and the rendition of the National Anthem by an orchestra of violins, had Prof. Akunyili on the high table with the chairman of the occasion, Chief John Nnia Nwodo Jnr, Prince Ajibola, Alhaji Farouk Usman and Mr. Bayo Atoyade.
The Chairman of APCON, Mr. Christopher Awusa Doghudje, in his welcome address, congratulated the three eminent persons who were conferred with the Honorary Fellowship Awards of the council.
These people, he said were the ones who brought advertising to the forefront in Nigeria. The chairman said without them; APCON would not be celebrating its 20th anniversary. According to him, it was an honour well deserved.
The chairman said the former President, who was represented by Alhaji Bala Adamu Aliyu, ensured that the council had a legal footing by enacting a law that backed it up.
Doghudje, who at an earlier media briefing took stock of the progress recorded over the past 20 years, said APCON, has succeeded immensely in professionalising and regulating the practice of advertising in Nigeria.
Other Nigerians who were also honored included Professor Charles Okigbo, who was the first chairman of the council, Dr. May Nzeribe, who was honoured for being the third chairman and Chief Olu Falomo, for being the second. They were conferred with the APCON Special Recognition Awards.
Falomo, in his remarks, said through the 14 years that he served; he knew that the council would go places. He expressed gratitudes for the honour done him and his colleagues.
He said the awards was not for any individual but for all those who worked as a team to bring APCON to a fine peculiarity with international advertising organisations all over the developed world.
A number of distinguished practitioners also became fellows at the event. They were Mr. Yinka Adepoju, and Mrs. Bunmi Oke, who became the first female practitioner to rise to such a level in the industry. Mr. Rufai Ladipo of Angel Communications and Feyijimi Awosika of Insight Communications were also honoured as fellow.
Speaking at the event, Professor Akunyili enlightened advertising practitioners on relevance of the national re-branding effort of her ministry to national development.
According to her, advertising is a major stakeholder in re-branding Nigeria project. She said the project is about changing the negative image of Nigeria and Nigerians in the international circles.
"We have allowed others to tell our stories for us," she noted. "We are not treated well at airports around the world, once they see the Green Passport, you will be asked to stand aside. This is as a result of our battered image, many foreigners who come to Nigeria have discovered that what they see is far different from what they were told in their countries.ÕÕ
She continued, "when I came to the office as the image-maker of the nation, I felt strongly that the negative image of Nigeria should not be left alone. We studied the situation and came up with the re-branding project. We also came up with a slogan for re-orientation and attitudinal change with the aim of imbibing the spirit of patriotism: ÔNigeria, Good People, Great CountryÕ
"We have people that have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and achieved international acclaim. Nigerians are very hardworking people and honest. Our nation has spearheaded peacekeeping operations in many parts of Africa. We were at the forefront in the struggle against Apartheid. Many Nigerian civil servants donated their salaries to fight the Apartheid regime in South Africa. We have helped in bringing peace and stability to many countries but we have allowed other people to define who we are. We dont talk about our contributions to global peace, stability and progress. We have allowed a few criminals to define who we are as a country. We must make a statement and we must make strong impressions that our nation will not continue to be defined in negative information. Nollywood is the second most vibrant film industry in the world. We must say these things loud for all to hear."
She added, "we are working with over 17 millions Nigerians in the Diasporas. We are going to establish units in schools to encourage the spirit of patriotism in young people. Re-branding will complement infrastructure and economic development. It is important to national development it does not stop it."
The celebrations, which started on November 11, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, with an advertising career seminar for undergraduates and fresh graduates continued at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers on Friday, of November13.
The event attracted members of the governing council who are from the key stakeholders in the advertising industry and other interests.The stakeholders and interests such as Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Outdoor Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, Federal Ministry of Health and Tertiary institutions offering advertising related courses.
By Yemi Olakitan
In many ways, the year 2009 was an eventful year for the Nigerian media. It was both an interesting and sad year for the media in some respects; a year of mixed occurences, both postive and negative. Numerous issues and events came up during this year to make it so. The year will definitely remain memorable in the minds of all media stakeholders. It was in that year that the Nigerian media lost one of its brilliant journalists, the late Bayo Ohu of the Guardian Newspapers, Bayo was murdered in cold blood in his apartment at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb by unknown gunmen.A visibly shaken editor of the Guardian,Debo Adesian who visited the hospital expressed the general exasperation at the loss. Ohu was yet another, in the list of journalists' murder in Nigeria. One was Dele Giwa, Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, who was killed by means of a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986.
Another journalist, Godwin Agbroko, the Editorial Board Chairman of ThisDay newspaper, was gunned down at Oshodi-Mile Two Expressway in 2006 on Christmas Eve. Yet, another puzzling death was that of Abayomi Ogundeji, also a member of the Editorial Board of ThisDay newspaper on August 17, 2008. He was shot in his vehicle on his way from work late in the evening. The gruesome murder of Bayo Ohu happened to fall on the list of major events in the media sector during the year 2009 and it was the sad one. The Nigerian Police, as always, promised to unravel the mystery behind the murder but nothing has been heard hitherto.
Media Awards
True, the death of Bayo Ohu was sad and tragic especially for the Guardian Newspapers. It was also during that year that the Guardian won the Newspaper of the year award twice. It was given by two separate entities. The Nigerian Media Merit Award,NMMA which gave the award to the Guardian first at Nikki Lake Resort, Enugu where the ceremony was held while the Diamond Media Merit Awards, DAME honoured the newspaper at Ocenview Restaurant in Lagos..
Another media award in that year was the Wole Soyinka Award for investigative Reporting.The Wole Soyinka Award for investigative Reporting aim to encourage the exposure of corruption and human rights abuses in the country through the mechanism of investigative journalism . The body gave prizes to various journalists from the print,radio, television and online category. It also added another feather to its cap by honouring the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The Wole Soyinka award for forinvestigative Reporting reamin one of the prestigious awrds in the Nigerian media sector.
However, the most interesting of the awards ceremonies was the NMMA in Enugu that almost turn into a Drama with the unexpected absence of the Governor and the cold reception given to journalist that vsisted the cold city. The prize given ceremony nearly flopped due to the unexpedted absence of the Governor who was to preside over the opening ceremony. According to earlier reports on the events the event did not finish untill about 2 a.m. and guests witnessed a rushed ceremony.
There were conflicting reports on the state of health of the Governor as many said he could not attend because of his health. There were also unconfirmed reports that he was poisoned at another event. The secanario made the 2009 event less memorable compared to other ones that were hosted in previous years. There were signs of lack of adequate preparation when journalists were taken round the state to have a first hand coverage of the State Government's various projects. This exercise was cut short when it was discovered that officials at some of the places visited were not aware that such visitors were coming. At one of the venues, journalists were barred from taken pictures. The angry journalists eventually demanded to be taken back to their hotel rooms, as it was apparent that the state government did not inform most of the officials at the designated projects sites about the tour. One can only hope that the organizers of the NMMA will do better in the year 2010 and give the Nigerian journalist a more befitting event.
Winners of the 19th edition of the NMMA 2009 were The Guardian Newspapers, which bagged the Newspaper of the Year and its editor, Debo Adesina, who won the Editor of the Year. There were 47 awards in all, 35 in print, six in radio and six in television media Initially slated for November 6 and 8, the shift in date was due to the FIFA’s U-17 soccer championship being hosted in eight cities across the country including Enugu state at the time. As one of the most organized national Award scheme in Nigeria, NMMA future hosting for 2010 have been confirmed, the event will be holding in Lagos while that of 2011 is scheduled for Borno State in line with an earlier commitment of hosting expressed by Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to the Trustees of NMMA.
One of the negative event was the recent bomb blast attempt at a Lagos televison station; Superscreeen . An Eyewitness to the incident was a media executive who spoke with the Guardian Newspaper in anonymity.He was on a business visit to the superscreen office during the explosion. He said he narrowly escaped death as he was on the 3rd floor of the building when the bomb exploded. The bomber himself was on the 4th floor. He revealed hat he was able to engage the bomber in some questioning before the police arrived. The bomber came up with a story that a certain man gave him the wrapped bomb, at gunpoint and asked him to deliver it to the television station. The bomber who failed in his mission had his hands and a limb cut off and was blinded by the explosion. When asked why he unwrapped the bomb, the bomber said he did so out of curiosity, since the bomb was wrapped like a chritsmass gift. He in police custody receiving medical attention. All these is part of the risks that journalists face in discharging their duties; the risks to life and property. It shows that socity as a responsibility to protect media men and their place of work. Many journalists risk their lives daily by reporting the truth and therr many men who do not want the truth reported and they will do anything to eliminate those who try to report the truth. Another incident was the fire outbreak that gutted the multimillion-naira African Independent Television studio, the Dome. The entire AIT studios were nearly razed by December. The cause of the fire outbreak at AIT is yet to be ascertained, although some have attributed it to saboteurs.
Media debt
Media debt remains one of the major challenges of the media sector in year 2009. It has been identified as one of the banes of the communication sector. Huge debt in the media has come to remain with us. It has become a culture among advertising practicitioners to owe media houses huge debts running into millions. This practice has come to be accepted by the media organizations themselves who felt that thee is nothing they can do to stop the problem if they want continued patronage they most continued to render media services to the debtor companies despite huge unpaid debts.
Speaking with Mr. Taiwo Ayodeji, CEO Tee-mark Limited, an integrated marketing communications and advertising agency. He said the idea of piling up debts affect media houses. It is a way of killing the media sector since they cannot continue to run their operations without adequate fund. According to him these debts would kill off such advertising agencies themselves eventually because it is a sign of lack of integrity and bad management and it will run into other sensitive areas in the company.
Ayodeji said advertising agencies must learn to operate within the confinement of their agency commission and pay the media houses as soon as they render the required services. ‘‘This is the only way there could be peace in the business environment and when there is peace, there would be progress,” he said.
While saying noting that the culture of media debts is must end for the sake of progress in the entire media sector, Ayodeji noted that agencies, which owe huge sums of money, are usually those that treat their staff badly. “Members of staff should be seen as key partners in the company, not merely employees,” he said. This, according to him, will help the advertising agencies to grow in leaps and bounds.
The Lagos Signage and Advertising Agencies was one of the major actors in 209. The Lagos State government said it wants to ensure that the streets are orderly and that billboards are not placed haphazardly. It also wants to generate income for infrastructural development. However they have continued to receive critisms for the outdoor advertising companies who have not mince words in condemning the activities of LASAA. As reported, LASAA had went out into the streets of Lagos uprooting billboards and signpost worth millions of naira.
While the objective of the state government is noble they should ensure that the industry do not die because of the activities of LASAA. One thing to avoid is oligopoly and a rise unemployment. If outdoor advertsising companies fold up, many Lagosians in that sector will become unemployed wich will further increase the poverty level. LASAA must engage the companies in solidarity roundtable dialogue and work together to build a better outdoor advertising sector for Lagos.
The Freedom of Information Bill
Chief of the issues in 2009 was the freedom of information bill sponsored by Journalist/senator, Hon. Abike Dabiri. The Freedom of information Bill had been with the Nigerian parliament since 1999. President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to sign it then for fear that it will give foregners access to official information. However, the Bill, if passed into law, will give every Nigerian a legal right of access to information, records, and documents held by government bodies and private bodies; carrying out public functions. Information has been described as the vehicles of democracy. It is near impossible to fight corruption without access to information that could expose corrupt public officials. The freedom of information Bill applies to all arms of government: the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary as well as to all tiers of government: Federal, State, and Local governments.
At present, Nigeria has no law, which guarantees citizens access to public records and information.
A situation where many Nigerian laws have secrecy clauses prohibiting the disclosure of information such as, the Official Secret Act, the Criminal Code, the Penal Code and many more cannot help our democracy. Most public servants are made to swear to oaths of secrecy when employed and the general consequence of these is an entrenched culture of secrecy This will not help public opinion, and professional journalism. It will also cover government inadequacies and corruption.
The freedom of information bill has continued to generate interest since inception. However it has continued to be delayed for reasons that are not clear.
However, The National Assembly Committee in charge of issues pertaining to the bill has refuted claims that the proposed law has gotten stuck in a legislative limbo. According to Deputy Chairman Francis Amadiegwu, "The the lawmakers are fine tuning aspects that will affect national security. He promised that the Freedom of information bill will be passed.
Community Radio
There have been a lot of hullabaloos on the benefits of the community radio in the country even in 2009. However, despite the announcement by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission that it will launch Community broadcasting in Nigeria soon, not much has been achieved in that regard. Nigeria, with its huge population, no doubt required an effective media, not only for the advancement of its nascent democracy, but also for her economic prosperity. Radio remains the only media that has the capacity to reach the widest possible communities in the country. It is the media that can cheaply access the remote areas of our nation. This is because of its portability and affordability. It is also a medium that can defy the epileptic power situation. In a nation where majority of the population remains largely uneducated and illiterate. Community radio stands the chance of being able to inform, enlighten, and mobilize for democratic and economic advancements in all part of the country. With a demographic index of about 150 million people; two of every five West African resides in Nigeria. As the most populous black African nation in the world with reports that Nigeria will hit the 200 million mark in population in the next 15years, Nigeria needs community radio scheme.
It is obvious that the media will play a significant role in shaping our democratic stability and the development of freedom of expressions, information accessibility that will lead to progress. As a result of its pluralist and grassroots-friendly nature, radio has come to be accepted as the pre-eminent medium for development all over the world.
At a forum organized recently for African media Laeders. Media Leaders attended the forum from all over the African Continent, Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Nigeria’s international radio network spoke on the relevance of Community radio in the development of Nigeria’s economic and democratic advancement.
According to Jijiwa radio has demonstrated its power in many parts of the world, radio is continuing to demonstrate the capacity to enhance economic development, contribute to technological growth, improve health and education, strengthen national security, combat crime and corruption, give expression to cultural pluralism and promote democratic process. It is not surprising that many countries in the developing world are putting radio at the center of their millennium development goals.
Nigeria has remained the only country in the ECOWAS sub region without a clear-cut policy framework for the emergence of community radio with all its attendant benefits. What we have in Nigeria his urbanized, private/commercial and public radio stations. Radio stations in Nigeria have concentrated in the city because of the drive for Profit. The government owned radio is clearly not enough to deliver the advantages and benefits of the community radio system in Nigeria.
The African Charter on broadcasting calls for the development of three tier radio environment in which the development of public/service. Private/commercial, and Community radio will work hand in hand to further the goals of democracy, individual freedom of expressions, information dissemination and economic advancement.
Community radio ensures easy governance as the government can measure easily, grassroots response to unpopular or popular government policies. Community radio will expose and monitor crime, ensure accurate information in health related issues and destroy the yoke of ignorance, religious fanaticism, eradicate violence while promoting the values of unity and peaceful co existence.
With the inexhaustible benefits of community radio, it is hoped that that Nigerian Broadcasting Commission will take the bull by the horn and step in quickly to ensure that the nation take its rightful place in community radio broadcasting, thereby reaping the benefits of this indispensable media.
APCON AT 20.
It was also in 2009 that the Advertsising Practictioners Council of Nigeria celebrated its 20th year anniversary. The anniversary was held both at the sheraton Hotesl, Ikeja and the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a gathering of who is who in the advertising sector. The council also used the anniversary to honour former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who signed into law, the decree establishing the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria. the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria has cause to celebrate. it has succeeded in taken advertising to a greater height, making it one of the most advanced sectors of the Nigerian economy; yielding billions of naira in revenue every year, employing hundreds of professionals and training a handful every year. These were the reasons for the gathering of stakeholders in the marketing that sector, Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos on Thursday, November 12, to celebrate 20 years of robust growth and unprecedented achievements in the advertising sector and to honour those, who have been a part of the success story of APCON such as Badamasi Babangida, past Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola and his counterpart then, Prince Tony Momoh (Information).
APCON was established by Act No 55 of 1988 and revised by Act No 93 of 1992 to regulate advertising practice in Nigeria.
The event, which started with a cocktail and the rendition of the National Anthem by an orchestra of violins, had Prof. Akunyili on the high table with the chairman of the occasion, Chief John Nnia Nwodo Jnr, Prince Ajibola, Alhaji Farouk Usman and Mr. Bayo Atoyade.
The Chairman of APCON, Mr. Christopher Awusa Doghudje, in his welcome address, congratulated the three eminent persons who were conferred with the Honorary Fellowship Awards of the council.
These people, he said were the ones who brought advertising to the forefront in Nigeria. The chairman said without them; APCON would not be celebrating its 20th anniversary. According to him, it was an honour well deserved.
The chairman said the former President, who was represented by Alhaji Bala Adamu Aliyu, ensured that the council had a legal footing by enacting a law that backed it up.
Doghudje, who at an earlier media briefing took stock of the progress recorded over the past 20 years, said APCON, has succeeded immensely in professionalising and regulating the practice of advertising in Nigeria.
Other Nigerians who were also honored included Professor Charles Okigbo, who was the first chairman of the council, Dr. May Nzeribe, who was honoured for being the third chairman and Chief Olu Falomo, for being the second. They were conferred with the APCON Special Recognition Awards.
Falomo, in his remarks, said through the 14 years that he served; he knew that the council would go places. He expressed gratitudes for the honour done him and his colleagues.
He said the awards was not for any individual but for all those who worked as a team to bring APCON to a fine peculiarity with international advertising organisations all over the developed world.
A number of distinguished practitioners also became fellows at the event. They were Mr. Yinka Adepoju, and Mrs. Bunmi Oke, who became the first female practitioner to rise to such a level in the industry. Mr. Rufai Ladipo of Angel Communications and Feyijimi Awosika of Insight Communications were also honoured as fellow.
Speaking at the event, Professor Akunyili enlightened advertising practitioners on relevance of the national re-branding effort of her ministry to national development.
According to her, advertising is a major stakeholder in re-branding Nigeria project. She said the project is about changing the negative image of Nigeria and Nigerians in the international circles.
"We have allowed others to tell our stories for us," she noted. "We are not treated well at airports around the world, once they see the Green Passport, you will be asked to stand aside. This is as a result of our battered image, many foreigners who come to Nigeria have discovered that what they see is far different from what they were told in their countries.ÕÕ
She continued, "when I came to the office as the image-maker of the nation, I felt strongly that the negative image of Nigeria should not be left alone. We studied the situation and came up with the re-branding project. We also came up with a slogan for re-orientation and attitudinal change with the aim of imbibing the spirit of patriotism: ÔNigeria, Good People, Great CountryÕ
"We have people that have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and achieved international acclaim. Nigerians are very hardworking people and honest. Our nation has spearheaded peacekeeping operations in many parts of Africa. We were at the forefront in the struggle against Apartheid. Many Nigerian civil servants donated their salaries to fight the Apartheid regime in South Africa. We have helped in bringing peace and stability to many countries but we have allowed other people to define who we are. We dont talk about our contributions to global peace, stability and progress. We have allowed a few criminals to define who we are as a country. We must make a statement and we must make strong impressions that our nation will not continue to be defined in negative information. Nollywood is the second most vibrant film industry in the world. We must say these things loud for all to hear."
She added, "we are working with over 17 millions Nigerians in the Diasporas. We are going to establish units in schools to encourage the spirit of patriotism in young people. Re-branding will complement infrastructure and economic development. It is important to national development it does not stop it."
The celebrations, which started on November 11, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, with an advertising career seminar for undergraduates and fresh graduates continued at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers on Friday, of November13.
The event attracted members of the governing council who are from the key stakeholders in the advertising industry and other interests.The stakeholders and interests such as Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Outdoor Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, Federal Ministry of Health and Tertiary institutions offering advertising related courses.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
LASAA; still in the eye of the storm
published in the Guardian Newspapers
By; Yemi Olakitan
IT is no longer news that the advent of the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) has raised issues among practitioners: knocks keep coming the way of the agency.
Perhaps it is important to take another look at the development, with the aim of delivering better dividends to the outdoor advertising practitioners, clients, citizens and visitors to the state alike in 2010 and in the future.
A visit to some of the big outdoor advertising agencies in Nigeria showed that they are truly a shadow of their past glory. Some of these advertising companies who have enjoyed robust profits and long list of clientele in the past are now faced with low patronage, downsizing and indebtedness. Some have even closed down their operations, an indication that the practitioners' complaints were genuine.
The gloomy business situation of some of the agency should concern any serious government, particularly, a popular government under the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.
It was recently reported that UAC, a multinational company took LASAA to court. All these squabbles are avoidable if all parties will embrace constructive dialogue. It will seem that LASAA was set to hunt the operators of the outdoor agencies. However, this is not in line with the aim of the agency, announced when it kicked off in 2006. It stated, among other policies to bring sanity and decency to our environment and ensure that the streets of Lagos are not clustered with all manner of billboards and signboards in a way that does not project orderliness and decorum. Governor Fashola had among other things, embarked on a beautification exercise. All over the state one can see beautiful flowers, lawns and tree that adorn our highways. Outdoor advertising is perhaps an offshoot of the beautification drive of the Lagos state. In fact, one of its avowed objectives is civic beautification.
The Agency, headed by Mr. Makanjuola Alabi went about uprooting numerous signboards and signposts all over the state; religious organizations were not spared. According to the agency the state has become a city of riotous outdoor advertising, which must be cleansed thoroughly and totally.
These activities however have not gone well with many of the practitioners who have not mince words in expressing their grievances: practitioners have found it hard to adjust to the new system, as it seems that their means of livelihood was been taken away.
One of the major advertising agency that did not want its name mentioned, complained that business has not been going on as it should since LASAA stepped in. They have to pay heavy fee to the LASAA. According to a senior officer of the agency who pleaded anonymity, "LASAA has made it hard for them to operate, as salaries are not been paid, staffs are been asked to leave. ''If this can happen to us, as big as our company is in the industry, you can imagine what has happened or will happen to the smaller companies. As it is now, everything is grounded to a halt,'' he said
LASAA has brought out guidelines for the operators: "to provide a system for controlling signage and advertisement displays which is fair, consistent, efficient and responsive to change, with a view to enhancing environmental aesthetics and thereby benefiting the citizenry and visitors alike." Perhaps, the only thing that is permanent in life is change and change can only be brought about through pain. However, pain is not the only route that change can be achieved. If a painless change is possible should we take pleasure in unleashing pain on ourselves? This is the basic question practitioners want LASAAA to answer.
It was reported that LASAA's Director Alabi paid a business visit to the office of the OAAN, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, after embarking on what was described by one of the practitioners as 'thunder and volcanic eruption' in the sector. According to reports, the billboards and signposts that the agency uprooted were estimated to worth millions of naira. True, The agency had acted with a vision to turn Lagos state into a mega city, majority of the agencies have not recovered from the loss and many are groaning in pains. The visit of Alabi was described as 'medicine after death.' This mean that what the director should have done first was what it is now doing. LASAA should have worked together with the association before it started uprooting the billboards, thereby killing many businesses, as reported.
Makanjuola was reported as saying that there are about 104 registered outdoor practitioners in the state but only about 60 are active members. This should be a course for concern.
Taiwo Ayodeji, CEO of Tee-mark Limited, an integrated marketing company with a focus in general marketing communication services, particularly outdoor advertising stated that the state government should ensure that its rules on outdoor advertising did not make it impossible for agencies to operate in the state, as this would push them to other states. A situation whereby only 60 registered outdoor advertising agencies are operational is not good for Lagos state, he argued and asked: "who will advertise under so much charge imposed when Lagos is not the only market in the federation?" According to Ayodeji, outdoor advertisers will be forced to go to other states. He said the highly proactive agencies would create innovative means of advertising outdoor.
According to him, advertising agencies can make use of channel marketing and this kind of marketing ensures that you create the desired noise for product visibility and popularity. Another area, which could be explored, is events management. He explained: "AGMs can be used to expand one's customers base by creating a continuum of communication to your target customers. You must beat network problems, create ideas and reach your target audiences. These ways, government regulations would not kill one's business. Creativity would take one to the next level and out of the comfort zone. ''About five years ago, we started Tee-mark Advertising. I have about 20 years experience in advertising but as a result of innovative ideas, we have remained in the business."
He however argued in favour of LASAA, noting that the Lagos State government wants to ensure that the streets are orderly and that billboards are not placed haphazardly.
Publisher of Billboard Magazine and Managing Director of Executive Options, an outdoor advertising company Mrs. Maureen Umanah, urged LASAA to go back to its drawing board and create a level playing ground for the falling agencies. According to her, the regulatory body has made it difficult for people to thrive in business. She also reiterated the fact that many companies are no longer doing well.
However, a Managing Director, who prefered anonymity noted that LASAA is accessible and he would rather engage the agency in serious dialogue than allow his business to suffer. According to him, ''no matter our complaints, they are the regulatory body and they are in charge,'' he warned.
In order to create a mega city, LASAA should ensure that it does not create mega problems: it must work in partnership with the practitioners; not to create an oligopoly system where few operators reign in the state. It should ensure that its fee is not too high for the agency to afford. It is only through dialogue that progress can be achieved.
By; Yemi Olakitan
IT is no longer news that the advent of the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) has raised issues among practitioners: knocks keep coming the way of the agency.
Perhaps it is important to take another look at the development, with the aim of delivering better dividends to the outdoor advertising practitioners, clients, citizens and visitors to the state alike in 2010 and in the future.
A visit to some of the big outdoor advertising agencies in Nigeria showed that they are truly a shadow of their past glory. Some of these advertising companies who have enjoyed robust profits and long list of clientele in the past are now faced with low patronage, downsizing and indebtedness. Some have even closed down their operations, an indication that the practitioners' complaints were genuine.
The gloomy business situation of some of the agency should concern any serious government, particularly, a popular government under the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.
It was recently reported that UAC, a multinational company took LASAA to court. All these squabbles are avoidable if all parties will embrace constructive dialogue. It will seem that LASAA was set to hunt the operators of the outdoor agencies. However, this is not in line with the aim of the agency, announced when it kicked off in 2006. It stated, among other policies to bring sanity and decency to our environment and ensure that the streets of Lagos are not clustered with all manner of billboards and signboards in a way that does not project orderliness and decorum. Governor Fashola had among other things, embarked on a beautification exercise. All over the state one can see beautiful flowers, lawns and tree that adorn our highways. Outdoor advertising is perhaps an offshoot of the beautification drive of the Lagos state. In fact, one of its avowed objectives is civic beautification.
The Agency, headed by Mr. Makanjuola Alabi went about uprooting numerous signboards and signposts all over the state; religious organizations were not spared. According to the agency the state has become a city of riotous outdoor advertising, which must be cleansed thoroughly and totally.
These activities however have not gone well with many of the practitioners who have not mince words in expressing their grievances: practitioners have found it hard to adjust to the new system, as it seems that their means of livelihood was been taken away.
One of the major advertising agency that did not want its name mentioned, complained that business has not been going on as it should since LASAA stepped in. They have to pay heavy fee to the LASAA. According to a senior officer of the agency who pleaded anonymity, "LASAA has made it hard for them to operate, as salaries are not been paid, staffs are been asked to leave. ''If this can happen to us, as big as our company is in the industry, you can imagine what has happened or will happen to the smaller companies. As it is now, everything is grounded to a halt,'' he said
LASAA has brought out guidelines for the operators: "to provide a system for controlling signage and advertisement displays which is fair, consistent, efficient and responsive to change, with a view to enhancing environmental aesthetics and thereby benefiting the citizenry and visitors alike." Perhaps, the only thing that is permanent in life is change and change can only be brought about through pain. However, pain is not the only route that change can be achieved. If a painless change is possible should we take pleasure in unleashing pain on ourselves? This is the basic question practitioners want LASAAA to answer.
It was reported that LASAA's Director Alabi paid a business visit to the office of the OAAN, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, after embarking on what was described by one of the practitioners as 'thunder and volcanic eruption' in the sector. According to reports, the billboards and signposts that the agency uprooted were estimated to worth millions of naira. True, The agency had acted with a vision to turn Lagos state into a mega city, majority of the agencies have not recovered from the loss and many are groaning in pains. The visit of Alabi was described as 'medicine after death.' This mean that what the director should have done first was what it is now doing. LASAA should have worked together with the association before it started uprooting the billboards, thereby killing many businesses, as reported.
Makanjuola was reported as saying that there are about 104 registered outdoor practitioners in the state but only about 60 are active members. This should be a course for concern.
Taiwo Ayodeji, CEO of Tee-mark Limited, an integrated marketing company with a focus in general marketing communication services, particularly outdoor advertising stated that the state government should ensure that its rules on outdoor advertising did not make it impossible for agencies to operate in the state, as this would push them to other states. A situation whereby only 60 registered outdoor advertising agencies are operational is not good for Lagos state, he argued and asked: "who will advertise under so much charge imposed when Lagos is not the only market in the federation?" According to Ayodeji, outdoor advertisers will be forced to go to other states. He said the highly proactive agencies would create innovative means of advertising outdoor.
According to him, advertising agencies can make use of channel marketing and this kind of marketing ensures that you create the desired noise for product visibility and popularity. Another area, which could be explored, is events management. He explained: "AGMs can be used to expand one's customers base by creating a continuum of communication to your target customers. You must beat network problems, create ideas and reach your target audiences. These ways, government regulations would not kill one's business. Creativity would take one to the next level and out of the comfort zone. ''About five years ago, we started Tee-mark Advertising. I have about 20 years experience in advertising but as a result of innovative ideas, we have remained in the business."
He however argued in favour of LASAA, noting that the Lagos State government wants to ensure that the streets are orderly and that billboards are not placed haphazardly.
Publisher of Billboard Magazine and Managing Director of Executive Options, an outdoor advertising company Mrs. Maureen Umanah, urged LASAA to go back to its drawing board and create a level playing ground for the falling agencies. According to her, the regulatory body has made it difficult for people to thrive in business. She also reiterated the fact that many companies are no longer doing well.
However, a Managing Director, who prefered anonymity noted that LASAA is accessible and he would rather engage the agency in serious dialogue than allow his business to suffer. According to him, ''no matter our complaints, they are the regulatory body and they are in charge,'' he warned.
In order to create a mega city, LASAA should ensure that it does not create mega problems: it must work in partnership with the practitioners; not to create an oligopoly system where few operators reign in the state. It should ensure that its fee is not too high for the agency to afford. It is only through dialogue that progress can be achieved.
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