The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has said that it is not going back on advertising industry reform and will not succumb to blackmail, intimidation, or propaganda of any stakeholder to suspend the ongoing industry reform. This was to clarify its position in the ongoing legal battle targeted at the body by the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).
The Director-General of ARCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo revealed this through a statement made available to the media.
According to the statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has approved the full implementation of the Advertising Industry reform. The apex regulatory body also stressed that it is committed to engaging other government agencies to guarantee full compliance with the advertising law.
The statement reads “ARCON continues to invite and seek the support of other government agencies to investigate the activities of the advertisers, agencies, and other stakeholders whose unethical and exploitative tendencies are understanding and sabotaging the efforts and policies of the federal Government aimed at accelerating gainful employment, rewarding local talents and improving the Nigerian economy.
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“The president of ADVAN Mr. Osamede Uwubanwen and its secretariat had continuously engaged in propaganda, misinformation, disinformation, and media war. Rather than join issues with them, I will seek to make some clarifications on the ongoing reforms.
“ARCON will not succumb to the blackmail etc of ADVAN or any stakeholders to suspend the ongoing industry reform.”
It is no longer news that ADVAN has been at loggerheads with the apex advertising regulatory body over the advertising industry reforms since its inception.
Recently ADVAN had officially taken legal action against ARCON to challenge the constitutional right of the reform of which the regulatory body defended its position, asserting that its actions are aimed at improving the Nigerian advertising industry and protecting the interests of stakeholders.
The Director-General strongly declared that ARCON has resolved to ensure strict adherence to all aspects of the ongoing advertising industry reform, which include: Media rates deregulation, the 45-day industry credit policy, use of local talents amongst others.
