It was indeed a special day of glamour and splendour as stalwarts in the Marketing Communications industry and numerous guests turned out in their numbers to honour one of Nigeria’s foremost marketing communications practitioner and a doyen of the glamorous profession, Dr. Abiodun Olushina Shobanjo. The Chairman of Troyka Group was conferred with a legend’s award at an event hosted by the Out-Of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) being the second edition by the association held at prestigous Muson Centre in Lagos.
The event was a testament to Dr. Shobanjo’s enduring legacy in the industry, with guests from across sectoral groups and other professions. The two-in-one event was Chaired by Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFE, Doyen of Rotary International and founder of Juli pharmacy, Mr. Feyijimi Awosika, Vice Chairman of Troyka, Sir Steve Omojafor, former Chairman of Zenith Bank and founder of STB McCann, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director General of Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) represented by Sussy Agbor, Dr. Charles Chijide, Chairman BOT of OAAN, Dr. Femi Adelusi, former Chairman of Heads of Advertising Sectorial Group (HASG) and immediate past president Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Chief Emmanuel Ajufo, Immediate Past President OAAN, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, former Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Lanre Adisa, President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mrs. Tolulope Medebem, President Experiential Marketing Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Dr. Abiola Salami, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, CEO Ladybird Advertising, Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, Mr. Babs Fagade, former Director General of Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA) and many more.
In his welcome address, Sola Akinsiku, President of OAAN, described Dr. Shobanjo as the “Doyen of Advertising and the pillar of modern practice in Nigeria”. He noted that the OAAN Legend’s Award conferred on Dr. Shobanjo was the highest honour bestowed by the association on individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Out-of-Home media practices in Nigeria.
The OAAN President further eulogised Dr. Shobanjo’s innumerable contributions to the promotion of excellence and professionalism in the industry, saying, “We are gathered to witness this great event today as we honour Dr. Abiodun Olusina Shobanjo with this prestigious award as our way of appreciating him for his selfless service to the industry.”
In his words: “The first OAAN Legend’s Award was bestowed on Chief Akinrolabu (Babu) Akinbobola in year 2020. The OAAN Legend’s Award is the highest honour that our association bestows on individuals who in the conviction of the executive council, acting on behalf of our board of trustees and the entire membership has made significant and verifiable contributions to the development of the Out-of-Home media practices in Nigeria. We are now gathered to witness this great event today as we honour Dr. Abiodun Olusina Shobanjo, frpa, OON…”
He noted that the decision to organise the event is to make it a memorable event for Dr. Shobanjo and OAAN. He added that the award is a landmark achievement for the awardee, and it is only fitting and proper that it held to also coincide with a landmark 80th birthday celebration of today’s recipient.
Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, the chairman of the occasion, in his speech, described Dr. Shobanjo as a supportive, understanding, and successful man who had always been a shining example of excellence. He advised Dr. Shobanjo, as he approaches his 80th birthday, to focus on three things: something to keep him busy, something to fight for, and something to be passionate about.
Dr. Abiola Salami, in his keynote presentation titled “Decades of Excellence and Professionalism,” emphasised the need for Nigerians to celebrate their heroes and learn from their experiences because many of the younger generations barely know their national heroes but rather the international ones. He praised Dr. Shobanjo’s achievements, saying, “He has achieved unparalleled success and respect by all, and he got that from his father Pa. Joseph Shobanjo and his Mother Morinatu Shobanjo.”
Dr. Salami also broke down the acronym “SHOBANJO” into qualities that he believes define Dr. Shobanjo’s character: “Solid Background,” “Having empathy,” “Outshine with excellence,” “Brilliant execution of Idea,” “Attracting & retaining talent,” “Nurturing generation”, “Just in time” and “Outstanding”. He concluded that Dr. Shobanjo has built a legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire future generations. He also offered some piece of advice to the children of the Awardee who were in attendance, saying that Dr. Shobanjo has bequeathed them with a solid name, which they must cherish, nurture, use well and transfer the same to their own children.
The Awardee, Dr. Shobanjo expressed gratitude to OAAN for the honour and award stating that he has been so overwhelmed in the last weeks by similar gestures. In his words, “I should make the Guinness Book of Records as one who have cut the most number of cakes leading to one’s birthday”. He added that he does not directly play in OOH media sector but acknowledge making a bold step by setting up Klinsite that later became Optimum Exposures as a child of necessity following the inability of partner outdoor media companies of the time to deliver satisfactorily. He further acknowledged the investments that go into the construction of OOH media platforms from foundation to installation by member companies of OAAN. He charged OAAN to take her rightful position as media practitioners and stated that’ “you are into real estate business”, which deserves to be acknowledged and respected.
