Advertising professionals in Oyo State have inaugurated pioneer interim executives for the newly established Advertising Practitioners’ Association, Oyo Chapter (APAOC), in a move aimed at strengthening professionalism, ethical standards and regulatory compliance within the industry.
The association, which comprises duly registered practitioners under the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), draws membership from creative and media agencies, outdoor advertising firms, digital marketing practitioners, academics and other stakeholders in the communication industry.
The executives emerged during the association’s inaugural meeting in Ibadan and are expected to pilot the affairs of the body for the next six months pending the constitution of a substantive leadership structure.
A Fellow Registered Practitioner in Advertising (frpa) and Chief Lecturer in Advertising Design and Graphics Communication, Dr. Sola Alimi, emerged as chairman, while published author and founder of CityCrier Communication Ltd, Asiwaju Ezra Okebisi, was chosen as vice chairman.
Others chosen include Abimbola Adebayo as secretary, Rotimi Agboluaje as treasurer, Mr. Cyril Olajide as financial secretary, Barrister Oyewale Oyinlola-Michael as legal officer, while Engr. Peter Ahonkhai, a structural engineer, facility manager and founder of PITA Engineering Nigeria Limited, emerged as Public Relations Officer.
Alimi, a scholar with over 26 years’ experience at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, currently heads the institution’s Department of Art, Design and Printing Technology.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman pledged to promote ethical advertising practice and strengthen compliance with regulatory standards in the state.
“My passion is to see a profound ethical practice of advertising elevated in our state, ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and see members of APAOC succeed in the advertising business,” he said.
Members at the meeting stressed the need for a coordinated platform to drive professional development, industry networking, knowledge sharing and self-regulation in line with ARCON guidelines.
The association also unveiled plans to establish a centralised Information Technology (IT) platform to streamline membership verification, facilitate collaboration among practitioners and provide data-driven market insights for the advertising industry in Oyo State.
According to the body, the initiative is designed to position Oyo at the forefront of modern advertising practice by integrating technology with creative strategy and connecting businesses with verified advertising professionals.
Stakeholders identified innovation, creativity, regulatory compliance and adaptation to emerging trends as critical areas of focus for the association.
Members further resolved to intensify membership drive, organise seminars and retreats, and sustain collaboration with regulatory authorities to deepen professionalism in the industry.
Okebisi, in his remarks, said the association would ensure that its membership process remained attractive and professionally organised to encourage wider participation among practitioners in the state.
The association added that induction programmes would also be organised for registered ARCON members as part of efforts to strengthen professional engagement and industry development in Oyo State.
