40 years of advertising in Nigeria: The Sun hosts professionals

To commemorate 40 years of indigenous advertising in Nigeria, The Sun Publishing Limited will host advertising professionals and sectoral groups in the industry to a dinner on Friday, October 11, 2013 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
As part of the event, an award, ‘The Sun Advertising Man of All Times’, will be presented to the Chairman of Troyka Group, Biodun Shobanjo, in recognition of his achievements as a marketing communications strategist, an advertising legend, champion of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as his landmark contributions to the marketing communications industry in Nigeria and Africa.
In a press release, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Tony Onyima, said after 42 distinguished years in the marketing communications business, Shobanjo is widely acknowledged as a pacesetter and legend in the pantheon of advertising greats in Africa, the notable practitioner that revolutionized modern advertising in Nigeria and most suitable for the ‘The Sun Advertising Man of All Times’ award.
Onyima noted: “Mr. Shobanjo exemplifies groundbreaking works, limitless creativity and entrepreneurship. His string of successful integrated marketing communications firms has shown how creativity and innovation can lead one to wider horizon and unbelievable attainments. No one has achieved this feat the way he has done in the industry.”
Onyima further stated that the event presents an opportunity to celebrate the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria’s four decades of enormous contributions to the Nigerian economy and positive impact on the global stage.
The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, formally Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, is a foremost sectoral organ of the advertising industry.
Founded by Oloye Dotun Okubanjo, Leye Adedoyin, Biodun Sanwo, the late Chief Olu Adekoya and the late Banjo Solaru in 1971, AAPN officially took off in 1973 when Oloye Okubanjo was elected its protem chairman/first president.
From a humble beginning of five advertising agencies, AAAN today has almost 100 registered member advertising agencies.
With 17 presidents so far, AAAN is a formidable and major player in the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria.
Its contribution to the growth of the economy is exemplified in the development and sustenance of brands that have great impact not only on the economy but also on the people, society and employment.
The Sun Publishing Company Limited associates itself with that important economic sector and wished it many more years of growth and success, the statement said.