The Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the outdoor advertising industry is developed in the state, through provision of a business-friendly environment by ensuring a vibrant and creative industry in the state. The governor made this known through Mr. Fila Onifade, GM Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency (OGSAA), at the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria 36th annual general meeting in Abeokuta.
He said, “Let me inform you that the Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency, under this administration has introduced a lot of new ideas. In view of the need to ensure a technology-driven agency, in line with our “Building our future together” Agenda, we set up a state signage manager to manage a data base for all billboards and signage in Ogun State.” Similarly, the GM OGSAA stated that the state recently introduced a mobile App, through which practitioners in the industry can monitor the progress of their billboards from the comfort of their office, and do all other transactions without the need to get to the agency in Abeokuta. “Aside this, the Ambient Advertising and Street Directional Signs Scheme were also introduced to open a new vista of opportunities for practitioners, as well, as explore the Corporate Social Responsibilities of your esteemed clients. I urge you to take advantage of these wonderful platforms,” he said.
As of today, the greatest challenges facing the industry are the twin evils of cluster and quackery. The concerns over vacant billboards have effectively been addressed in Ogun State. Be therefore assured that the on-going tagging and phased clean-up will also solve the problem of quackery and cluster permanently. Part of Ogun State efforts to strengthen the practice in the state include constituting and inaugurating OAAN members into the Board of the Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency, the first of its kind in our nation. He said, “We have further demonstrated our administration’s commitment to creating a highly cerebral and professional agency that will continually provide the basic support to the industry in the state.”
While thanking the governor for his commitment towards the advancement of the outdoor advertising practice in the state, the President of OAAN, Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo, said, “You have shown that you are interested in the development of commerce in your state by the practical steps you have taken to encourage our industry.” According to Ajufo, some of the worthy steps include the appointment of a seasoned professional to head the signage agency, and the appointment of a board for the agency. These were done without any push from us. The appointment of one of our own into the board (we patiently await the appointment of our second representative, as stated in the Signage law), and approval of palliatives and reduction in the rates for different sizes of billboards have encouraged us.
