Why we made Ooni, Ado Bayero, others, patrons —OAAN

The immediate past president of the Out- of- Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Chief Emma Ajufo, has said the decision of the association to make the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi;  the Emir of Kano,  Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero;  Professor Pat Utomi, and other bigwigs in the society as patrons of the association stemmed from the need to have some influential voices speak for the association, especially at trying moments.

The former OAAN boss, who acknowledged that outdoor business is a ‘bit challenged’ in the country, stated that the presence of these eminent personalities will go a long way in giving the association the  much-needed voice and respect in government circle.

“Why do we have these heavyweights? We have them because our business is still a little bit challenged. Government needs to understand us more and we believe if we have these heavyweights behind us, they can put in a few words for us,” he stated.

Expressing his delight that his administration left the association better than it met it, Ajufo stated that one of the key achievements of his administration was in the area of membership, which, he stated, experienced a surge in number during his four-year stint.

“In the past four years, we’ve had a very robust membership. The members have been up and doing. Our annual dues come as at when due. And there has been a surge in new membership as well. A lot of people who were outside our fold applied in the last four years and we tried to weed them, and take the ones that are fit and proper. So we’ve attracted very wonderful members,” he stated.

He stated further that his administration was also able to make the association create value, a gesture, he stated, had resulted in many members being financially up to date; since they willingly paid their dues without having to put any pressure on them.

The former OAAN boss also attributed the success of his administration to its decision to priortise members’ welfare.

“For once, our members felt their association was there for them. We were able to revive, and make more efficient, the group life insurance scheme, of the association, which attracted a lot of participation. A few of our members, who subscribed to that scheme, but passed on, had their families well taken care of from the benefits that accrue from the scheme,” the former OAAN boss stated.

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