How to use investigative journalism to enhance advertising reporting, by stakeholder

Forum

Investigative journalism is not mainly about unearthing the misdeeds and corrupt practices of public officer holders, but also helping to build the country as a good brand. The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), in fact has urged journalists in the country to always employ the power of investigative journalism to lift the coverage of marketing communication.

The regulatory body anchored its admonition in the strength of social responsibility functions that advertising is mandated to render in the society.

And unless journalists understand these statutory mandates, especially the role of the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP), their reportage and coverage of advertising environment may remain shallow.

At a one-day forum organised by the APCON for journalists covering advertising and marketing issues, participants were urged to always abide by the tenets of the profession with emphasis on the need for them to always balance their reports.

The forum frowned at the exposure of non-vetted and unapproved advertisements in the media because any misinformation arising from such unlawful exposures may be difficult to retract where damage had been done.

In his welcome address, the chairman of APCON, Lolu Akinwunmi, explained why the special forum was initiated to help journalists in their practice.

He said, “Over the last few years, you have succeeded in creating a distinct identity for yourselves by specifically reporting on developments within the marketing communication segment of our economy. If today advertising and allied disciplines attract unprecedented attention, it is because of the commitment journalists and stakeholders in the industry over the last couple of years, and for this, APCON is appreciative. The more attention you draw to the profession, the more you inform and educate ordinary Nigerians and our stakeholders, the easier it will be for a body such as APCON to fulfill government expectation in the quality of the message that goes out daily to the consumer”.

Knowing that communication involves two groups: the sender and the receiver, APCON’s task at the forum was to ensure that the sender sends the right and correct message to the receiver.

“We are to ensure that messages are not misleading,” he added. “This regulatory role makes us offer public service by ensuring that all upholds the basic principles of advertising. The implication is not only that ads must be legal, decent, honest, truthful and mindful of Nigeria’s culture and not impair public confidence in advertising, but those who practice it must do so in strict observance of its ethics and statutory provision, sincerely promoting international goodwill and cementing world comradeship”.

Hammering on the unfair influx of charlatans who see nothing beyond the quick money they can make in this economy, he said the task was to jointly insist on true partners from any part of the world, and not those who want to come in and supplant people.

In his words, “Journalists have a big responsibility as our economy continues to grow. Your group is especially trained and empowered to support the communication industry, reporting truth and discouraging the publication or dissemination of falsehood. Again in the words of Williams, I believe that the brand of journalism, which succeeds best, and best deserves success fears God and honours man, is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless: self controlled, patient, always respectful of its reader but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice, is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance, and as far as law and honest wage and recognition of brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international goodwill and cementing world comradeship; is journalism of humanity, of and for today’s world.”

Admonishing journalists on the practice of Advertising Standard Panel (ASP), it’s chairman Mr. Ade Akinde, said all adverts, no matter their kinds, are meant to be vetted by the panel.

Any that is not vetted, if found wanting, incurs the wrath of the countries involved. He said, “Our line are open to complaints and we act immediately if any case is reported. But if they are critical, cases we refer them to the APIP that takes in depth look into the issue and proffer solution. There is the need for APCON to publish the names of registered members who are found liable by the APDC for the violation of the code and for professional misconduct”.

According to the chairman of APDC and president of AAAN, Funmi Onabolu, an enabling legal instrument Act 55 of 1988 was empowered to adjudicate infringements related to the advertising profession in case of unprofessional conduct, infamous conduct in a professional respect and fraudulent registration. It is made up of AAAN, ADVAN, MIPAN, OAAN, BON and NAPAN.

He stated that many stakeholders within the industry had come before this arm to answer cases that is to the best interest of the practitioner.

“It is charged with the duty of considering and determining any case referred to it by the APIP, a statutory panel established by the provision of the Act. It observes rules of evidence and procedure and has equivalent status of a High Court. It is thus apparent that disciplinary proceedings and quasi–criminal matters and the principles of fair hearing bind the committee”.

He added, “If a respondent who appears before the APDC is found guilty, he will probably face any or some discipline ranging from caution, fine, reprimand and acquittal. In the event of imposition of a penalty, any appeal arising from there shall go to the Court of Appeal. The law further avers that ‘no proceedings before the disciplinary committee shall be set aside by reason only of informality in those proceedings, which did not embarrass or prejudice the appellant. This is to say, when a verdict has been pronounced, it is binding on the respondent; should the respondent be aggrieved his only option is to file an appeal within specific time to the Court of Appeal”.

The registrar, Alhaji Bello Kankafofi, also stated that the secretariat was working with the police and LASSMA to carry out sanctions.

In a communiqué at the one-day deliberation, the forum noted that media houses should demand for the Advertising Standards Panel’s Certificate of Approval from advertisers or advertising agencies before the exposure of advertisement materials. Where such certificate is not produced, the media house shall reject the advertisement and write APCON/ASP in confidence to enhance effective monitoring should another media house publish, transmit or display the rejected advertisement without ASP approval.

The forum noted that the level of compliance with the Nigeria Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion has improved considerably, but APCON should double its efforts in this regard. Participants commended the ASP for improving the time of vetting process in respect to the provision of 12 hours and 48 hours of accelerated vetting respectively to meet the demands of urgent advertisement campaigns. It further stated that APCON should improve and publicise the benefits of being registered member of APCON in order to enhance membership drive; journalist should be acquainted with the process of vetting of advertisements, and sanctions of violators to enhance their understanding of the functions of the ASP, APIP and APDC.

Bluebird wins Multi-Trex advertising account

An integrated marketing communications outlet, Bluebird Communications Limited, has won the advertising account of Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc. The win, after a competitive pitch involving notable agencies, is coming on the heels of securing yet another blue-chip account, Skye Bank.

The privilege of assisting the aggressive launch of Multi-Trex’s assorted consumer brands with impressive advertising underscored Bluebird’s meteoric rise in the industry and its enviable track record of developing consumer-led and award winning and innovative campaigns for leading brands in diverse business sectors within and outside the country.

The feat is expected to fast track Bluebird’s objective of becoming far more active in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector of the manufacturing industry. The management of Multi-Trex has expressed full confidence in the ability of Bluebird to effectively launch its full range of 100 per cent cocoa based products into the competitive market.

Kayode Ebatamehi, General Manager of the Agency remarked that the Company was excited about winning the Multi-Trex and Skye Bank accounts, because they “will definitely offer opportunity to make bold statements about the premium that the Agency places on developing innovative and effective advertising.”

The ad agency commenced business about 16 years ago and is peopled by young and dynamic professionals.

Bluebird wins Multi-Trex advertising account

An integrated marketing communications outlet, Bluebird Communications Limited, has won the advertising account of Multi-Trex Integrated Foods Plc. The win, after a competitive pitch involving notable agencies, is coming on the heels of securing yet another blue-chip account, Skye Bank.

The privilege of assisting the aggressive launch of Multi-Trex’s assorted consumer brands with impressive advertising underscored Bluebird’s meteoric rise in the industry and its enviable track record of developing consumer-led and award winning and innovative campaigns for leading brands in diverse business sectors within and outside the country.

The feat is expected to fast track Bluebird’s objective of becoming far more active in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector of the manufacturing industry. The management of Multi-Trex has expressed full confidence in the ability of Bluebird to effectively launch its full range of 100 per cent cocoa based products into the competitive market.

Kayode Ebatamehi, General Manager of the Agency remarked that the Company was excited about winning the Multi-Trex and Skye Bank accounts, because they “will definitely offer opportunity to make bold statements about the premium that the Agency places on developing innovative and effective advertising.”

The ad agency commenced business about 16 years ago and is peopled by young and dynamic professionals.

Out-of -Home Media operators explore marketing options

Out-of –Home Media sector needs dynamic system restructuring more than any other advertising medium in Nigeria, says Dr Josef Bel-Molokwu, former Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

Dr. Bel-Molokwu made this submission recently at a two day Strategic Marketing and Selling of Out-Of-Home Media workshop organized by Daniels Phritnol Nigeria Limited at Whispering Palms Resort, Badagry. Dynamic system restructuring according to the Senior Research Fellow at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-African University, Lagos, and member of faculty of the ESUT Business School is necessitated by unpredictable government act, outlandish operational costs, and undue risk to the safety of sites, hoardings and appliances as well as shylock undercutting and outright sabotage by industry competitors.

“In a situation like this, Out-of-Home advertising needs to keep abreast if not ahead of the competitors in the first place, and secondly to keep well-informed in today’s fast moving communication world”, he submitted in his paper titled Strategies for developing and deploying market intelligence for enhanced productivity in outdoor advertising.

Speaking on Building profitable outdoor advertising business through strategic marketing, Mr. Chris Doghudje, former Chairman, APCON outlined 12 marketing strategies that could be adopted by participants drawn from outdoor advertising companies. According to him in the current state of the sector, Out-of-Home firms can win with product quality, mass production or national coverage, aggressive selling, customer/market oriented, customer relationship and Unique Selling Point strategies. Other strategies are: image or emotional selling, innovation, positioning, multi-product, going public (Plc) and backward integration strategies.

Beyond dynamic system restructuring, Dr. Bel-Molokwu in another paper titled Identifying Market Opportunities and developing offerings that enhance value delivery submitted that “Out-of-Home media firms must keep searching for the next market opportunity which can be achieved through information sharing, enlightenment and reaching out. “Let us apply our resources more to our businesses and less to our whims. Let us support growth in our industry”, he admonished participants.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the workshop, participants resolved to take advantage of new market opportunities, take service delivery serious and begin to see intelligence gathering as a vital part of the business. They however called on the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) to be at the forefront of building a good intelligence bank as well as data base amenities that would strengthen the sub-sector and the industry.

Lagos hosts lecture on reporting the grassroots

The third Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series holds on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at the NECA Building, Agidingbi, Lagos at 10am with the theme: Re-evaluating local governance in Nigeria: What responsibilities for the media.

This year, the lecture is organized in collaboration with the Orderly Society Trust (OST) and aims at stimulating the media to deepen local governance reporting towards focusing on democracy at the grassroots in a bid to engage the tools of a downward-upward mechanism to appropriately mould governance in the country even as it essentially triggers discussions around this most critical tier of government on the heels of the Local Government elections in 2012.

Expected as guest speaker is Prof. Bayo Olukoshi, Director of the United Nations African Development and Planning (UNIDEP), Dakar, Senegal. Discussants include representatives of the civil society, academia, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

The date of the lecture coincides with the 77^th birthday anniversary of the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka, which is deliberate (since 2009), according to the organizers “to honour this illustrious African whom the Centre is named after, even as we draw attention to current national issues.”

The Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series is designed to periodically examine varying topical issues that have reverberating effects on perceived performance of the media, on the health the country and its democracy. It intends to contribute to the body of knowledge of practitioners as well as increase awareness and debate around the nexus of media practice and socio-political development issues in the country.

Its maiden edition was hosted in 2008 and paraded respected personalities like Prof. Harry Garuba of the African Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and Dr. Olatunji Dare, an Associate Professor of Journalism at Bradley University, Peoria Illinois USA and a former editorial page editor of The Guardian Newspaper as guest speakers.

Lagos hosts lecture on reporting the grassroots

The third Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series holds on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at the NECA Building, Agidingbi, Lagos at 10am with the theme: Re-evaluating local governance in Nigeria: What responsibilities for the media.

This year, the lecture is organized in collaboration with the Orderly Society Trust (OST) and aims at stimulating the media to deepen local governance reporting towards focusing on democracy at the grassroots in a bid to engage the tools of a downward-upward mechanism to appropriately mould governance in the country even as it essentially triggers discussions around this most critical tier of government on the heels of the Local Government elections in 2012.

Expected as guest speaker is Prof. Bayo Olukoshi, Director of the United Nations African Development and Planning (UNIDEP), Dakar, Senegal. Discussants include representatives of the civil society, academia, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

The date of the lecture coincides with the 77^th birthday anniversary of the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka, which is deliberate (since 2009), according to the organizers “to honour this illustrious African whom the Centre is named after, even as we draw attention to current national issues.”

The Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series is designed to periodically examine varying topical issues that have reverberating effects on perceived performance of the media, on the health the country and its democracy. It intends to contribute to the body of knowledge of practitioners as well as increase awareness and debate around the nexus of media practice and socio-political development issues in the country.

Its maiden edition was hosted in 2008 and paraded respected personalities like Prof. Harry Garuba of the African Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa; and Dr. Olatunji Dare, an Associate Professor of Journalism at Bradley University, Peoria Illinois USA and a former editorial page editor of The Guardian Newspaper as guest speakers.

EMCOAN partners APCON for rich broadcast content

Members of Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN), recently paid the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) a cutesy call to register its grievances over what the body tagged shabbily treatment by some stakeholders in the advertising industry.

Their grouses were mainly with the Radio/TV stations that have allegedly frustrated them by making their members to produce programmes and pay for the programme, which the stations use to entertain their customers. EMCOAN President, Mr. Wale Adenuga who led the delegation therefore appealed to APCON to support in changing what he called anomalies in how stations denigrate and frustrate them in the practice of a profession they love passionately. Continuing, Adenuga said only a conducive environment could give birth to their aspirations of establishing a formidable broadcast industry where cultures, traditions and social values are upheld and showcased to the benefit of the Nigerian viewers.

He however assured the APCON Registrar, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, that they were determined to tackle the current situation where media monitoring agencies dish out erroneous reports, while decrying also the hostility meted out to them by advertising agencies and media owners in Nigeria.

In response, Bello Kankarofi, told the group that what they pointed out were issues he was conversant with in his days as a broadcaster before his elevation few years ago as chief executive of APCON. He pledged to use his experiences to advance the course of EMCOAN in the APCON Governing Council and the new APCON Committee on Advertising Practice Reforms (ACAPR), whose mandate is to stimulate best practices in advertising. Kankarofi however expressed hope that all their misgivings would addressed as media ownership is changing and he believes that the emerging scenario will definitely change the relationship between independent producers, media owners as well as advertising agencies.

He seized the opportunity to present copies of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion and the Nigerian Advertising Laws, Rules and Regulations to them. Urging them to encourage their members to be registered with APCON since the law specifies that no one should practice advertising for gain unless he/she is registered with the regulatory body.

EMCOAN partners APCON for rich broadcast content

Members of Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN), recently paid the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) a cutesy call to register its grievances over what the body tagged shabbily treatment by some stakeholders in the advertising industry.

Their grouses were mainly with the Radio/TV stations that have allegedly frustrated them by making their members to produce programmes and pay for the programme, which the stations use to entertain their customers. EMCOAN President, Mr. Wale Adenuga who led the delegation therefore appealed to APCON to support in changing what he called anomalies in how stations denigrate and frustrate them in the practice of a profession they love passionately. Continuing, Adenuga said only a conducive environment could give birth to their aspirations of establishing a formidable broadcast industry where cultures, traditions and social values are upheld and showcased to the benefit of the Nigerian viewers.

He however assured the APCON Registrar, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, that they were determined to tackle the current situation where media monitoring agencies dish out erroneous reports, while decrying also the hostility meted out to them by advertising agencies and media owners in Nigeria.

In response, Bello Kankarofi, told the group that what they pointed out were issues he was conversant with in his days as a broadcaster before his elevation few years ago as chief executive of APCON. He pledged to use his experiences to advance the course of EMCOAN in the APCON Governing Council and the new APCON Committee on Advertising Practice Reforms (ACAPR), whose mandate is to stimulate best practices in advertising. Kankarofi however expressed hope that all their misgivings would addressed as media ownership is changing and he believes that the emerging scenario will definitely change the relationship between independent producers, media owners as well as advertising agencies.

He seized the opportunity to present copies of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion and the Nigerian Advertising Laws, Rules and Regulations to them. Urging them to encourage their members to be registered with APCON since the law specifies that no one should practice advertising for gain unless he/she is registered with the regulatory body.

EMCOAN partners APCON for rich broadcast content

Members of Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN), recently paid the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) a cutesy call to register its grievances over what the body tagged shabbily treatment by some stakeholders in the advertising industry.

Their grouses were mainly with the Radio/TV stations that have allegedly frustrated them by making their members to produce programmes and pay for the programme, which the stations use to entertain their customers. EMCOAN President, Mr. Wale Adenuga who led the delegation therefore appealed to APCON to support in changing what he called anomalies in how stations denigrate and frustrate them in the practice of a profession they love passionately. Continuing, Adenuga said only a conducive environment could give birth to their aspirations of establishing a formidable broadcast industry where cultures, traditions and social values are upheld and showcased to the benefit of the Nigerian viewers.

He however assured the APCON Registrar, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, that they were determined to tackle the current situation where media monitoring agencies dish out erroneous reports, while decrying also the hostility meted out to them by advertising agencies and media owners in Nigeria.

In response, Bello Kankarofi, told the group that what they pointed out were issues he was conversant with in his days as a broadcaster before his elevation few years ago as chief executive of APCON. He pledged to use his experiences to advance the course of EMCOAN in the APCON Governing Council and the new APCON Committee on Advertising Practice Reforms (ACAPR), whose mandate is to stimulate best practices in advertising. Kankarofi however expressed hope that all their misgivings would addressed as media ownership is changing and he believes that the emerging scenario will definitely change the relationship between independent producers, media owners as well as advertising agencies.

He seized the opportunity to present copies of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion and the Nigerian Advertising Laws, Rules and Regulations to them. Urging them to encourage their members to be registered with APCON since the law specifies that no one should practice advertising for gain unless he/she is registered with the regulatory body.

Tears In the Rain: When Artistes Wail!

Tears In the Rain, a dance drama from the stable of Jiimbay Production and the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), was recently staged at the Civic Centre, Lagos, and was held as part of Jiimbay’s Corridors to Power project.

The cast include Maxwell Mathew, Frank Ogogo, Queen Itiku, Okafor Chibuzor, Ndidi Okocha Esther Morakinyo, Uche Onah, Slvia Nwachuckwu, Frank Konwea, Ugo Obiayo, Kngsley Obiaka, Blessing Idireti.

The piece starts with the personal life and experiences of the artistes. Poetic monologues are deployed to give the piece a wholesome experience. The monologues are intermittently broken with good music and richly choreographed movements.

The scenes portray the plight of Nigerian artistes: Their story, struggles and experiences and their determination to survive. The piece reveals that the only motivation for them is their love for the arts with little to show in terms of material prosperity or societal respect.

According to the choreographer, Anthony Offiong, Tears in the Rain often go unnoticed, because in the rain you cannot see the tears unless you look very closely.

As every action has its effects tears in the rain shows the ripples caused by the decision taken by those in the corridors of power. It is their decisions that result in tears in the rain. It is the policy makers in the corridors of power who failed to provide funding for the arts because arts is not important to them. It represents the struggles of every Nigerian who has artistic talent but is unable to express it because of lack infrastructure, proper funding, and an enabling environment where the creative arts can thrive.

The Corridors of Power project aims to use the medium of the creative arts, especially dance to make an impact in people’s lives.

It is time for the government to listen and act.

Founder and Director of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos said she was inspired to produce the Tears in the Rain after watching its premiere in March. She noted that the stage piece has the potential to change lives and affect people positively.

“It was a memorable experience for me. So, I said we could present it again. Our focus at SPAN is to produce life-changing stories. JIMBAY started something very new. Tears in the Rain is the connection between the audience and the artistes,” Boulos said.

She added “As you know, our objective is to impact and empower society positively with life-changing messages and core values rooted in respect, faithfulness, integrity, compassion, fruitfulness, meekness, growth and social responsibility. Our vision is to establish performing art centers where the richness, faith and diversity of Nigeria’s culture and tradition can be nurtured, preserved and showcased for all to see and experience. SPAN further aspires to be a hub of creativity where our community finds a place to escape, be inspired and be educated. Our hope is to challenge mindsets to be empowered to serve our nation and affect our environment to provide a promising future for the generation to come.”

Boulos disclosed that apart from the presentation of the play this year SPAN has embarked on a chain community projects under the tag, Art for Change.

The project will be journeying into some undeserved regions in Lagos to bring the performing arts to their neighbourhood not only to make them feel wanted and cared for, but also to educate and empower them for various career opportunities. SPAN is alreadt set to open performing arts community centers in Ijegun, Mushin, Surulere, lkeja, and Ikoyi.

For Anthony Offiong, “our hope is to use this stage performance change people’s way of thinking and generate a greater appreciation for the artiste and his art in our society. We want to see artistes being valued and respected more and having a more important role in decision and policy making for our great nation and continent.”

The Administrative Director of the group, Ugonwa Obiayo, said the outfit Corridors of Power project was endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) last year.

Tears In the Rain: When Artistes Wail!

Tears In the Rain, a dance drama from the stable of Jiimbay Production and the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), was recently staged at the Civic Centre, Lagos, and was held as part of Jiimbay’s Corridors to Power project.

The cast include Maxwell Mathew, Frank Ogogo, Queen Itiku, Okafor Chibuzor, Ndidi Okocha Esther Morakinyo, Uche Onah, Slvia Nwachuckwu, Frank Konwea, Ugo Obiayo, Kngsley Obiaka, Blessing Idireti.

The piece starts with the personal life and experiences of the artistes. Poetic monologues are deployed to give the piece a wholesome experience. The monologues are intermittently broken with good music and richly choreographed movements.

The scenes portray the plight of Nigerian artistes: Their story, struggles and experiences and their determination to survive. The piece reveals that the only motivation for them is their love for the arts with little to show in terms of material prosperity or societal respect.

According to the choreographer, Anthony Offiong, Tears in the Rain often go unnoticed, because in the rain you cannot see the tears unless you look very closely.

As every action has its effects tears in the rain shows the ripples caused by the decision taken by those in the corridors of power. It is their decisions that result in tears in the rain. It is the policy makers in the corridors of power who failed to provide funding for the arts because arts is not important to them. It represents the struggles of every Nigerian who has artistic talent but is unable to express it because of lack infrastructure, proper funding, and an enabling environment where the creative arts can thrive.

The Corridors of Power project aims to use the medium of the creative arts, especially dance to make an impact in people’s lives.

It is time for the government to listen and act.

Founder and Director of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos said she was inspired to produce the Tears in the Rain after watching its premiere in March. She noted that the stage piece has the potential to change lives and affect people positively.

“It was a memorable experience for me. So, I said we could present it again. Our focus at SPAN is to produce life-changing stories. JIMBAY started something very new. Tears in the Rain is the connection between the audience and the artistes,” Boulos said.

She added “As you know, our objective is to impact and empower society positively with life-changing messages and core values rooted in respect, faithfulness, integrity, compassion, fruitfulness, meekness, growth and social responsibility. Our vision is to establish performing art centers where the richness, faith and diversity of Nigeria’s culture and tradition can be nurtured, preserved and showcased for all to see and experience. SPAN further aspires to be a hub of creativity where our community finds a place to escape, be inspired and be educated. Our hope is to challenge mindsets to be empowered to serve our nation and affect our environment to provide a promising future for the generation to come.”

Boulos disclosed that apart from the presentation of the play this year SPAN has embarked on a chain community projects under the tag, Art for Change.

The project will be journeying into some undeserved regions in Lagos to bring the performing arts to their neighbourhood not only to make them feel wanted and cared for, but also to educate and empower them for various career opportunities. SPAN is alreadt set to open performing arts community centers in Ijegun, Mushin, Surulere, lkeja, and Ikoyi.

For Anthony Offiong, “our hope is to use this stage performance change people’s way of thinking and generate a greater appreciation for the artiste and his art in our society. We want to see artistes being valued and respected more and having a more important role in decision and policy making for our great nation and continent.”

The Administrative Director of the group, Ugonwa Obiayo, said the outfit Corridors of Power project was endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) last year.

PR body unveils plans for yearly forum

THE Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State chapter, has unveiled plans for its 22^nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Public Relations Week.

The AGM, which holds from October 14 to 21, has as theme Towards A Greater Nigeria: Public Relations As A Viable Tool For National And Mass Orientation.

Speaking on the AGM which marks a major milestone in the history of public relations practice in Nigeria, Jide Ologun, chairman of the chapter, said the event is a platform to rally practitioners in the state to review progress made in the past year and chart a course for the continuing development of the profession in the state.

According to Ologun, " in view of the status of Lagos, as the state with the highest concentration of public relations practitioners in the country and host of the National Secretariat, the crucial role that the sector has continued to play as a means of mobilising stakeholders in the Nigerian project, especially at a time the nation has just emerged from an election that showed Nigeria could be truly great, the 2011 AGM Week presents an opportunity for our members to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the institute and the cause of nation-building through effective public relations practice, and for the institute to restate its relevance as a partner in the on-going transformation agenda in Lagos State and indeed Nigeria.”

He assured that the NIPR in Lagos would continue the pursuit of excellence and professionalism in PR practice as evident in the works and acts of its members, which would be showcased through the line-up of activities for the AGM.

Outlining activities of the AGM/PR Week, Dr. Ken Egbas, chairman of the Planning Committee, disclosed that the one-week programme would begin with a Juma'at Service at the Alausa Central Mosque on October 14.

It would be followed by a Charity Walk in honour of the Nigeria Child as well as a Novelty Football Match in memory of the late Bassey Koma, a sports journalist and frontline member of the Institute, at the Training pitch of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on October 15.

There will be a Church Service at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Marina, Lagos on October 16.

The programme, according to Egbas, continues with a Social Work and donation to the Little Saints Orphanage in Surulere on October.

October 20 is the AGM proper with the theme, Towards A Greater Nigeria: Public Relations As A Viable Tool For National And Mass Orientation.

“The occasion will see the election of new officials to pilot the affairs of the institute for a fresh two-year term in office, and also feature a public lecture to be delivered by a distinguished Nigerian, as well as presentation of the yearly report of activities of the institute among other businesses of the day," Egbas said.

According to him, activities of the 2011 PR Week will climax with the 2nd NIPR Golden Eagle Awards, which will see members of the institute and public relations agencies compete for honours in different categories on October 21 at De Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja.

He noted that the PR Golden Eagle Awards was conceived to raise the standard of PR practice by creating a platform to measure best practices, and recognise distinction, excellence and also reward diligence in the public relations industry.

In a remark, Mr. Rasheed Bolarinwa, head of the Media sub-committee, noted that the AGM Week would build on the achievement recorded last year as the institute continues its efforts to bringing more glory and glamour to the practice of public relations in Nigeria.

He solicited the support of the media as worthy partners of the NIPR in all its programmes and activities, stressing that the media will play a crucial role towards the success of the occasion.

The media event also witnessed the public presentation of the official logo of the 22nd NIPR AGM/PR Week.

AAAN holds funfair

17/06/11

AAAN holds funfair

By Michael Orie

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) holds its annual funfair, with the theme, Bursting Loose at the University of Lagos Sport Centre tomorrow starting from 9am.

The Chairman organising committee, Mr. Longley Evru, said the funfair would be open to all registered member-agencies of AAAN, as it is design to engender the spirit of togetherness and conviviality amongst member-agencies staff as well as create stronger visibility for the association.

“This year’s funfair will serve as a fore runner to revitalize our funfair which has suffered a little setback for some years. It promises to be fun-filled and very exciting,” he said.

According to him, amongst the activities lined up for the one-day event is a variety of games like Table Tennis, Ludo, Ayo, Scrabble, Chess, Dart and Draught, with the major highlight being a novelty football match. A draw will climax the event with attractive prizes to be won.

The novelty football match will be between the AAAN babes (the queens of advertising industry) and AAAN bombers (senior advertising Practitioners). Among those expected to participate are Sir Steve Omojafor, Biodun Sobanjo, Gabriel Abah, Jimi Awosika, Lolu Akinwunmi, Rufai Ladipo and Funmi Onabolu, Bunmi Oke and Funke Nwankwo.

Group tasks youths on cultural erosion

17/06/11

By Michael Orie

The vexatious issue of increasing distortion of Nigerian traditional heritage and culture dominated discussions at a recent three-day seminar in Lagos titled: “Workshop on Youth and Nigeria ’s Intangible Cultural Heritage,” where speakers charged Nigerian youths to halt the adoption of foreign cultures and utilize their cultural heritage to engender development.

Participants also said the cultural content of the education curricular in Nigeria should be revisited because culture must be seen as a means of survival, adding that real development can not take place “on the womb of an alien culture,” and that the “copycat mentality” must be jettisoned.

It seminar was jointly organized by the Human Development Initiatives (HDI) and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC).

Speakers included Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, Prof Duro Oni; Director/Chief Executive, CBAAC, Prof Tunde Babawale; Acting Executive Director, HDI, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye; Chair, Board of Trustees, HDI, Prof S.B.A. Oloko, and Prof O. Soyombo.

Others were Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Mr Femi Adesina; Dr ‘Sope Fagboungbe, Dr Ayo Yusuf, Mr Yinka Akanle, Mrs Funso Owasanoye, and Mr Akinwale Onipade.

Prof Oni regretted that Nigerian cultures have been altered to the extent that they are neither authentically Nigerian nor true replication of western cultures. Even Nigerian languages have remained undeveloped and grossly subordinate to the English Language, he said.

The effect, he said, is that most Nigerian youths do not take pride in communicating in their local languages, leading to “an unfortunate trend of progressively decreasing proficiency of mother tongue usage.”

To solve the problem, he said an important starting point should be to use the mother tongue as the medium of imparting knowledge to pupils and students.

“The first step is the need to agree on its desirability. The second is the political will to work out the details and modalities. A situation where our youths are not proficient in the use of the English Language and at the same time deficient in their mother tongue have grave implications for development,” Prof Oni said.

He urged Nigerian youths to show, through deliberate effort, more than passing interest in all aspects of Nigerian culture, of which a desirable starting point is language. “A man’s language is his strongest identity. To neglect it is to destroy one’s identity,” he said.

Prof Babawale said technologically advanced countries write their product manuals in their native languages first, before translating for the outside world.

According to him, no country can make progress without placing premium on culture. “Our democracy must be purged of foreign elements. We also need to promote our traditional religion to attract worshippers from abroad. We must promote our music, our dance,” he said.

Babawale said oral expressions and traditions, performing arts, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship constitute intangible cultural heritages that must be protected and preserved.

Preserving them, he said, will involve making and enforcing legislations on protection of intangible cultural heritages, intensifying propagation of knowledge about them, creating a database for those meant to be given immediate attention, and instituting programmes and incentives to encourage those connected with their preservation.

For Prof Owasanoye, the promotion and retention of positive aspects of culture enables young people to be aware of their ancestry, as well as the accomplishments of their race and society. Such historical and cultural awareness enhances self and social worth, he said.

He added: “Positive cultural sensitivity is also bound to positively impact what individual members of the community create, that is, products, or the changes that they propose to alter the culture of society or force evolutionary change, that is, processes.

“In other words, positive cultural perception will impact governance and developmental processes like politics, law, philosophy, ethics, the arts, and religion as processes of change. Similarly, technology as product of cultural change will also be positively deployed in harmony with positive processes.”

Prof Oloko urged Nigerians to patronise local craft. “By buying our indigenous craft, we can help promote culture. For every modern art we have, there is a traditional counterpart.”

Truth Commissions only offer psychological benefits, says Kukah

20/06/11

Truth Commissions only offer psychological benefits, says Kukah

By Anote Ajeluorou and Michael Orie

For those still wondering what the Justice Oputa Panel or Truth Commission accomplished after all the expose that came with it regarding several wrongs done to many Nigerians during the military era, they need not go farther to seek answers. Indeed, a principal actor in that panel has unequivocally stated that no such commission has ever succeeded anywhere else in the world, but that the panel was an important narrative that society needed to move on

It was a small gathering at the Sheraton Hotels and Tower, Ikeja, Lagos last Friday. The heavy downpour all morning had turned Lagos into another nightmare and residents were held up in their homes. But the enormity of the exercise, the presentation and discourse on a book on the Oputa Panel by that fine intellectual priest, Fr. Mathew Hassan Kukah, was an opportunity not to be missed. And so, it turned out another moment to be part of a hugely stimulating discourse on the State of the Nigerian Nation and its many missed opportunities.

Kukah, only recently elevated to the Bishophood and would be presiding over the Sokoto Archdiocese, has written a compendium on the Oputa Panel titled Witness to Justice.

It wasn’t the usual lavish book launch type; but more like a media launch or presentation. A few dignitaries were present. A former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, poet and essayist Mr. Odia Ofeimun, poet and journalist Mr. Sam Omatseye, analylist Silverster Odhion Akaine, Austyn Njoku, Maxim Uzoator, the publisher, Mr. … of Bookcraft and a few others.

Just like its counterpart commission in South Africa, Kukah said he had had the illusion that that country’s commission that seemingly provided a model for the Oputa Panel unearthed the truth about the sordid events of the Apartheid era. But on a closer examination and interaction with some of the participants, he came to discover otherwise. What he found out was that the revelations from that commission were a mere approximation of the truth.

And so between your ‘truth’ and the other person’s ‘truth’, there was always the real ‘truth’ somewhere lying in-between, he argued. So, why is there a need for a commission to unearth the truth anyway? He also posited that it was the duty of society to learn the truth as told by those who were victims of atrocities one way of the other.

So, he declared, “No truth commission had succeeded anywhere; they are not meant to make you happy. In fact, the word Truth Commission is a misnorma but the fact that they happen at all is all what matters. A lot of people who setup commission never believe they will live long enough for people to comforted their shared arrogance. The initiative of this nature tells one bit of the story and leave the rest. The children of M.K.O. Abiola, Ken Saro Wiwa are not only the biological children. The story of Abiola’s death is a drama that has not yet been told; it is full of so many abnormalities. These are the kind of story we would have pursued and continued to pursue but we didn’t like Abacha so we don’t want to cross his path. Even if it is just to stir up our imagination, let us keep talking about these issues to keep our children and the country well informed.

”. For instance, both in South Africa and Nigeria, those who had suffered various degrees of wrong did not insist on being rewarded or compensated in any way after testifying for the wrongs done them. For Kukah, this was a source of wonder? So, why had they come to testify?

He came to the inevitable conclusion that those who testified merely wanted an outlet for their grief and pain, for the whole world to learn what they went through. Just like he was to find out for himself, they also derived psychological benefits from stating their case. It provided him and the others a moment of catharsis, a sort of cleansing or exorcism of the soul from the abominable wrongs of the past.

In view of the fact that nothing seemed to have come out of the Oputa Panel, Kukah was quick to point out that he still didn’t feel frustrated at the panel for what might appear its failure, but that as a nation, it was important for the many narratives to be out there for all to see and learn from. His fear was that the guerilla journalism that had been a handmaiden of the struggle against oppression during the military has seemingly regressed into corporate journalism that was fast glossing over the real issues.

Kukah stated that the nation’s journalism would seem to have fared badly during democracy as the transition from military to democracy would seem to have caught journalism practice on the wrong foot. He stated, “These are very challenging times for the media.” He, however, did not mince words in branding Nigeria a failed state for not having “the capacity to deliver what it promises” to its citizenry.

But the priest will not give up hope on the country in spite of the many failure indices that mark her out as a failed state. Nevertheless, he does not believe that the nation’s salvation will come from the many politicians that have become the vultures feeding on the nation’s carrion. The military, he said, didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with Nigeria’s problems just as it was beginning to be clear that the politicians have no clue either.

In other words, that leaves a significant segment of the polity that has been suffering quietly all these years: The Intellectuals. Kukah stressed, “I’m convinced that unless we bring back the dignity of the intellectual into public space, we will not achieve much. We cannot continue this way. We have to elevate governance beyond what it is at the moment”.

Kukah lamented that areas that seemed to be gulping the most public money were the least productive in the country: Security, Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Roads amongst others.

One other area the author lamented about was the role of traditional rulers in the current political dispensation. He said, “It is a symptom to what is wrong with our democracy and I see that the political elite are beginning to suck from this system. It is largely a carryover of the crisis of legitimacy and to the extent that traditional rulers are always a buffer zone. Politicians are s till speaking in the way and manner of the military. I have not seen a bigger role the traditional rulers have to play in our democracy. There is no clear role in our democracy. With Oputa Panel you could never tell how the story would end“.

I hope that this is the beginning of a much longer conversation!