Alhaji Olasode: Remembering an outdoor advertisement legend par excellence

ALHAJI K Olasode started his outdoor advertising career as an outdoor office clerk at PAN (Publicity Associate of Nigeria), under the management of Chief A. S. Adebiyi in 1971. He moved to Nigerian Advertising Services (NAS) as the outdoor supervisor and to Greenland Publicity Limited as the Outdoor Manager.

As an innovative and visionary young professional in the outdoor industry, he realised he could not fully express his vision, innovation and passion for the outdoor advertising working as an employee in the industry, but through the assembly of a team of passion-driven professional team to drive an organisation he can own up and take responsibility for and that led to the creation of one of the leading outdoor advertising companies in Nigeria and West Africa, Abiok Publicity Limited.

He was the first Managing Director and with him is his long-time friend and business partner, Alhaji Jimoh Atanda Lawal.

As the managing director of Abiok Publicity Limited, a leading outdoor advertising company in Nigeria and West Africa, he was an associate and founding member of OAAN (Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria); APCON (Advertising Practitioner Company of Nigerian) and he played an important role and contributed immensely in the evolving practice of outdoor advertising in Nigeria as a strong and reputable member of OAAN and APCON.

Alhaji Olasode, as a pioneer member of the first outdoor advertising sectorial group known and referred to as Outdoor Advertising Contractors Association of Nigeria, before it was renamed OAAN and was profoundly honoured for his contributions as trustee member and contributed in numerous leadership.

He served as member of trustee of OAAN; chairman, Outdoor Regulatory Committee, where he led the planning of Ikorodu Road, Ijora and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way. (They are same till date, the alteration of which constitutes illegality). He was chairman, Local Government Liaison Committee and APCON best outdoor advertising practitioner in 2006.

Alhaji Olasode contributed in very many ways to the development of outdoor advertising in Nigeria as it is today. In his quest for better advertising, in 1999, he instituted three prizes awards in the APCON diploma certificate course for the best student in communications skills, on behalf of Abiok Publicity Limited – Alhaji K Olasode – for the best graduating student in business communication and Alhaji J Lawal – for the best graduating student in advertising production techniques, each prize was N5,000. He consistently redeemed the three prizes for seven years.

Alhaji K Olasode, with his advice, support and doggedness, mentored many young advertising practitioners to find their feet in the sector.

Kehinde or Alhaji as he fondly called by close friends and relatives was born a twin as the last set of seven children to Pa Salawudeen and Madam Rabiiyaat Ayinke Olasode of blessed memory. His parents are from Gbagura in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State and had a farm settlement in Erin Itori, close to Iyesi, in Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, from where he migrated to Ebute Metta in Lagos to continue his education and professional practice in the outdoor advertisement industry.

He was married five times and survived by 16 children and 13 grandchildren.

He was community leader, patron of many charity organisations, held various chieftancy, religious and community titles and was an active member of many social and sports clubs among which were the Osi Mayegun of Gbaguraland; Ajiroba of Ogbaland; President, Unique Brothers Club, Lagos; Patron, Nigerian Deaf Association; Lisabi Club, Abeokuta; Abeokuta Sport Club; past coordinator, Committee of Notable Friends and Special Marshal, Federal Road safety Corps (FRSC).

He travelled far and wide in search of ideas and products which have resulted in the dramatic and positive revolutions in the marketing communications industry in general and outdoor advertising in particular. Alhaji’s desire is to see constant improvement in the profession he spent over three decades practising and did everything to see it through.

Alhaji K Olasode did not only achieve in the media world only, he was an erudite personality, a socialite and an amiable Nigerian who also bestrode other spheres of life like a colossus before his death.

Alhaji Kehinde Olasode was a detribalised and diversified Nigerian, he fervently believed in equal opportunity for all and derivation and actualisation of the greatest of human potentials. He was a gentleman to the core and a complete sportman extraordinaire. Rest thee well!