By Martin Ogumah and Opeyemi Adebiyi
On Friday, November 24, 2023, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, enacted another history reminiscent of its past milestone – but this time on a higher scale – as the Council inducted 38 eminent advertising professionals to the exalted pedestal as Fellows. The induction held in a grand ceremony at the prestigious Banquet hall of Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The list of those honoured at this glamorous event includes Dr. Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, the current and pioneer Director General of ARCON; His Royal Highness, Aleiyeluwa Oba Adeoriyomi Oluwasesan Abdul-Akeem Oyebo; Mr Durojaiye Bamijoko Okupe, a brand management and marketing expert; James Agama, Head of Corporate Communications, Julius Berger; Seni Adetu, former CEO/MD, Guinness Nigeria Plc, and now Chairman/Group CEO, Ogilvy Nigeria and Algorithm Media; Abdulsalam Lauratu Umar, Consultant, and Senior Lecturer, Mass Communication, University of Abuja; Maureen Umana Aniekan, MD, Premium 89.9 FM; Hauwa Magret Nimyel, Director of Marketing, NTA; Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, former Director of Press, and now Senior Lecturer, Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano; and many other illustrious and successful Nigerian advertising practitioners.
L-R up: Dr. Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, His Royal Highness, Aleiyeluwa Oba Adeoriyomi Oluwasesan Abdul-Akeem Oyebo, Mr Durojaiye Bamijoko Okupe.
L-R down: Mr. Idorenyen Enang, Seni Adetu, Rufai Ladipo.
Speaking at the event the ARCON DG, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo explained that the process of inducting members into a fellowship in any profession begins with the identification and categorisation of members according to the height they have attained in the practice of their profession. “For many professions, the fellowship is identified as the zenith of professional attainment and is usually conferred according to the measure of a person’s knowledge, experience, competence, and impact in the thesis and praxis of the particular profession.”
“The fellowship in the advertising profession is the highest status of membership of the profession in Nigeria. It is conferred on practitioners who have been registered as (full) members of the profession and have, in addition, met other criteria as well as impacted significantly the development of the profession. The criteria include good academic qualification, consistent engagement in the practice of marketing communications for a minimum of 15 years, involvement in the management of outstanding marketing communications campaigns, services to the profession a the level of the ARCON governing Council or Industry Sectoral Associations, Intellectuals, or professional expressions, mentorship or endowments, among others.”
Fielding questions on the consideration for fellowships he said that it begins with applications submitted by practitioners who believe they have met the criteria for the fellowship and then such applications are subsequently screened by a suitable industry committee appointed for the purpose and recommendations made to the Council regarding persons who have who have qualified for the fellowship according to the criteria. He added that “as the practice regulator for advertising the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, exercises the authority, on behalf of the profession, to confer the Fellowship on deserving practitioners, at a public ceremony.
Dr. Fadolapo extended heartfelt congratulations to the Fellows, acknowledging their dedication to the industry and its growth. He emphasized the crucial role these individuals play in steering the course of advertising, lauding their commitment to the profession.
On his part, Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo, Chairman of the Fellowship Selection Committee, in an inspiring speech commended the inductees for their outstanding achievements and emphasized the rigorous criteria met by each Fellow. Mr Ajufo highlighted the significance of their contributions to marketing communications, outstanding campaign management, service to ARCON’s governing council, and intellectual or professional expressions.
Other Fellows and distinguished personalities who graced the occasion include Dr. Joseph Bel-Molokwu, former APCON (now ARCON) Registrar/CEO; Alhaji Garba-Bello Kakanrofi, former APCON (now ARCON) Registrar/CEO; Mr. Idorenyen Enang, President and Chairman of Council, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN; Rufai Ladipo, Lead Consultant/CEO, Agile Communications; and several others.
