Before the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria’s (OAAN) annual general meeting (AGM), tempers were high as a dedicated and an obedient servant was about to be slaughtered, and  unheard voices to be disqualified.

Princewill Ekwujuru, in this report traces the history that led to the controversies that characterized the AGM cum election and what the incident portends for the future particularly without some key positions.

Outdoor-Of-Home (OOH) advertising, overtime, has been one of the most admired platforms of advertisement in Nigeria, and one of the most peaceful sectorial bodies in the advertising industry.

From all indications, the OOH platform may be at the verge of collapse if urgent steps are not taken, particularly as controversies and disqualifications trailed the just ended AGM and election of new executive council of the association.

Meanwhile, the four years reign of Bankole Ademulegun- led Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria OAAN executive ended precisely April 21,2011 with new executive sworn in, but  without the post of the Secretary-General, Treasurer and Vice-President, for yet un-ascertained reasons.

In the history of OAAN election, this is the first time such would happen, even as the former president is not leaving the stage the way he inherited it.

Some members had described the former’s taking over of the affairs of the association four years ago as peaceful, transparent and following the status quo, whilst referring to his exit as controversial.

However, the puzzle over who takes over from Mr. Bankole Ademulegun as president of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) after four years on the saddle, has been laid to rest with the emergence of the chief executive officer of Charella Nigeria Limited, Mr. Charles Chijide.

Chijide edged out the former secretary-general of the association and managing director of Grapro Limited, Prince Emeka Okezie with 35 votes against Okezie’s 11 votes. The contest became a two-way fight when the electoral committee of OAAN disqualified Yinka Adepoju, former 1st vice-president and the prime contender for the post on flimsy excuses.

During the screening of the aspirants for elective positions,  only eight candidates  were approved out of two were picked to run.

While the genuine contender for the post of the president, Mr. Yinka Adepoju was disqualified, those who passed the committee’s test to contest include Mr. Charles Chijide and Prince Emeka Okezie for the position of the president.

The post of the publicity secretary of OAAN was retained by Chidozie Mbanefo, while the assistant general secretary was also contested unopposed by Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo.

Four members also struggled for the ex-officio position; they are, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Pamela Onukwuba, Mr. Ladi Taiwo, Mr. Idowu B. Adedoyin and Mr Babatunde A. Oyekan.

According to information available to Vanguard, the positions of the  vice-president, secretary-general and treasurer were not fielded because the candidates could not surmount the  hurdles before them.

Aspirants to these positions were said to have failed to scale the screening hurdle, while some voluntarily withdrew from the race.

Nonetheless, the association at its extra-ordinary quarterly meeting has decided to hold bye elections to fill the vacant positions. On this note, one may ask, on what ground are the aspirants contesting for the positions when theywere not able to meet their financial obligation to the association?. How to fill these positions remains a riddle to be cracked by the association. People are waiting.

In another report, industry observers have wondered how an association  would operate without the above positions.
History:

Prior to the current development which has created bad blood amongst the members, before now, the body was one harmonious entity with a well laid down succession plan. In fact, it had one of the most peaceful and well-tailored transition processes in the advertising industry.

The process saw the likes of Simeon E. Olaghere 1985-1994, Foluso A. Akinbobola 1994-1998, Chief Jas K. Oyekan 1998-2002, and Chief Ahmed Ipoola Omisore 2002-2006 and most recently Bankole Ademulegun emerged as president without rancour and controversies. Apart from Olaghere, others clinched the exalted office by being the vice president of the association.

However, the intrigues  started in November 2009, when it was clear that Yinka Adepoju, a much maligned member and the former association 1st vice president was anointed to assume the office going by the old arrangement.

In November 2009, members of the association met at the  A GM, were  the  main point on the agenda was to review the association’s constitution in view of the 2010 AGM and election.

To make sure it was a hitch free exercise, OAAN leadership had constituted an ad hoc Constitution Review Committee, led by Chief Babu Foluso Akinbobola, former boss to Ademulegun. Among other things, the committee was saddled with the responsibility of scrutinizing the existing constitution, especially as it relates to  requirements of the candidate contesting for the OAAN presidency.

Shortly after the AGM, the outcome of the meeting led to an internal wrangling that became an instant burden for the Ademulegun led council.

Before the 2009 meeting, there was speculation that the constitution review was aimed at reversing the existing arrangement, which recommended that automatic ticket should be given to the occupier of the Vice-President, to assume the position of president.

Accordingly, the exco, led by the Managing Director of Media Link Limited, Ademulegun was not comfortable with the this clause, which was enshrined into the constitution when Omisore was the president.

While some members see the amendment as a betrayer of trust on the part of the outgoing executive council, those who supported the move saw it as a way to raise the bar of the association, and was also viewed as a good development.

However, at the end of its closed door business session during the 2009 meeting, the pro-review group had their way as the area that recommend automatic ticket for 1st Vice President, was expunged. Opposition to this view could not stop the proponents.

Expectedly, the outcome of the meeting didn’t go down well with some members who felt Ademulegun intentionally came up with the new agenda to cripple the ambition of his deputy and former staff. fromascending to the top position of the association.