Following the introductions Mrs. Ediri Ose-Ediale (the Executive Secretary of ADVAN) was called upon due to the absence of the Treasure to report on the association’s accounts for 2014. Her report was thereafter confirmed by ADVAN external auditor.
Mr. Kola Oyeyemi (the outgoing president) then stepped up to present his valedictory speech. He began by appreciating all members present, and all the members that continued to support ADVAN programs, he sent out a special thank you to his fellow executive council members for the dedication with which they had performed their duties during their tenure on council.
Oyeyemi reported on the significant achievements of the 2013-2014 Exco which included amongst others the launch of the ADVAN E-Newsletter a fortnightly magazine that would provide members with the most up to date and relevant information from around the world also the setup of a members only section in the ADVAN website for knowledge dissemination to members and the very welcome news that ADVAN was now fully represented on the APCON Council as well as all of APCON’s sub committees.
Subsequent to Oyeyemi’s report, the program went straight into the elections, which saw the emergence of the following winners- Mr David Okeme (Brand Building Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc) President, Mrs Joan Ihekwaba (GM Marketing UACN Foods) 1st Vice President, Mrs. Bimbo Alabi (Marketing Manager SoKlin) 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. Bukunola Ogunnusi (PR & Advert Manager Toyota Nigeria) Treasurer, Mr. Samson Oloche (Marketing Manager (Non-Alcoholic drinks)NB Plc) Publicity Secretary, while the three Ex-offcios are Toruka Osandukwo (Head, Communications UBA), Osamede Uwubamen (Head of Corporate and Investment, Marketing and Communication –StanbicIBTC) and Ibraheem Awelenje (Category Manager Breakfast Cereals). Mrs. Ediri Ose-Ediale remains the GM/Executive Secretary of the association.
In his acceptance speech, Okeme called for a new understanding among professionals in the industry, as it was critical to taking the profession to the next level and greater heights. He also believed that stakeholders in the industry needed to do more to ensure the development of the marketing industry, taking into account the huge sums being expended on advertising and marketing by advertisers while the association struggled to run its programs.
He solicited for the support of other members of the executive to enable his administration to step up from where Oyeyemi had stopped.
The evening continued with lots of fun and entertainment, the keynote speaker for the Marketers Evening was Mr. Tony Aletor Chairman Capital Express Insurance Group and Vice-Chairman Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc. MC Gordons was also on ground for lots of comedy.
