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Protocols: am happy to welcome you all to this very significant event in the history of our association – the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN). This event is significant in the sense that it is not just an Annual General Meeting, but is part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the association. In the lives of humans, attaining 50 years is regarded as reaching the proverbial Golden age. It is the age at which we feel we have reached the first half of our period of existence on earth, that is, if we consider, as it is commonly assumed, the belief that every human being should live to attain the centenary age of 100. I consider the theme of this year’s conference – “50 Years Young, Ready for More” – as apt. As an association of professionals, it affords us the opportunity to take stock of our journey so far, to look back in the last half of a century to ask ourselves some salient questions and try to find answers to them. What was the dream of the founding fathers of the profession of advertising in Nigeria? What were the objectives for founding the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN), the forerunner to what we have today as AAAN? To what extent have those objectives been achieved? What more do we need to do to ensure we achieve those objectives? In my view, we have achieved a lot of successes and milestones over the past 50 years, both as individual agencies and as an association of agencies. These milestones have come about because of the personal efforts and sacrifices of torchbearers like Sylvester Moemeke, Ayo Owoborode, Akin Odunsi, Steve Omojafor, Olu Falomo, Biodun Shobanjo, Olu Adekoya among numerous others, who could be described as the first generation of advertising practitioners in Nigeria; those who cleared the bush path that became the highway through which we have all walked to get to where we are today. But then, for younger practitioners, especially those who may be unaware, special mention must be made of one of the founding fathers in the industry, Chief Olu Adekoya. He was the indomitable personality who wrested control of the advertising industry from newspaper publishers (NPAN) in a landmark case he personally pursued and won in 1976. During this period also, the leading lights of our industry fought intensely to bring into being the law establishing the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON (Decree 55 of 1988), now known as ARCON. It is also quite auspicious that in the year that the association celebrates its golden age, a Nigerian agency has performed the feat of winning the first ever gold at the Cannes festival. Our industry has certainly grown in stature, sophistication and quality. Fifty years after we came together as an association, we need to strategize on how to reposition AAAN to be able to respond in a timely manner to the rapidly changing dynamics of the world in which we live, if it must continue, even more than it has done these past 50 years, to serve its purpose of existence. There couldn’t be a more auspicious time to hold this event than now, when all hands are required to be on deck to help revive a country that was a force to reckon with in days gone by, specifically, in the post-independence era – economically speaking. Many of us have experienced a better Nigeria and we look forward to an even better Nigeria. Nigeria needs to devise not just a new way of thinking, but a totally different way of doing things, if it hopes to break free from the shackles that have held it down since independence. In doing this, there must be a national discourse and consensus on how to chart the way forward to build the country we all agree is the dream of every Nigerian. The role of the AAAN in this effort is, to say the least, a very crucial one. In order to be able to do this, charity must begin at home as we look within to see the reforms that are necessary to have a more vibrant association that is constituted by members who are well educated, better trained and equipped to be able to exploit the vast benefits of technology for development. And in so doing, contribute their quota to national development through the strength of their narratives. I am excited about the panel discussion that is arranged as one of the major activities of this conference, which will feature experts in different fields who would be discussing the topic, “African Initiative to the World.” In my opinion, the topic is suggestive of the fact that, indeed, Africa has something to offer the world through the use of communication and Nigeria is at the vanguard of this opportunity. When you consider the impact our creative industry is making around the world especially in the areas of movies, music and fashion, the potential for the future is far beyond our imagination. My expectation is that the advertising industry will partner effectively with other key sectors of the creative economy to create exponential growth that will benefit all players in the sector, while positioning our creative economy as a key contributor to Nigeria’s GDP and major earner of foreign exchange. In building a better Nigeria, I expect that the messages we craft will take cognizance of our values and culture and foster the kind of society we would like to bequeath to our future generations. Our messages and the images they convey must reflect the values we hold dear as a people and also help to direct those changes that will make us a better country. This event is also going to be rounded off with AAAN giving Nigeria a unity song that is meant to foster peace, togetherness and harmony in the country – the ingredients that are most needed at the moment, for the continued existence of Nigeria as a country. I am confident that we will have three days of fruitful deliberations, fun and excitement, that would make this year’s edition of the Annual General Meetingtruly special, golden and unforgettable. Once again, welcome. Udeme Ufot MFR.
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