MY TEN KOBO; WASIU OLA ABIOLA: ADVAN AND THE MAN

A few weeks ago, when members of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, broke the glass ceiling to elect Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney as its first female president, especially in a year the body is marking its silver jubilee, I know that other sectors in the advertising industry better sit up as the iron lady of First Bank Plc steps to the plate.

But then I heard that the body also elected Mr. Wasiu Ola Abiola, the Head of Media at NB Plc as the first vice president, I was now certain that the body is indeed, ready for business.

This is because Wasiu Ola Abiola, the effusive Ibadan born Media guru is a thoroughbred professional. A man who had traversed both sides of the business, and even had a stint in politics, believes in doing everything by the book.

Mr. Abiola, who was elected in absentia , as he was away on official assignment, first to Holland and then Mexico, believes that the present executive would make the difference during their tenure.

So, on Friday last week, after a press parley somewhere in Ikeja, Mr. Abiola granted a rare conversation to gkbnewsdigest at his Iganmu office.

He was extremely excited about the opportunity to serve, especially with people of like minds. He was humbled by the historical slant to the assignment, serving with a female president and organizing the celebration of ADVAN's 25th year anniversary.

He was emphatic that the number one challenge facing the industry is data based value delivery on advertisements. He is of the opinion that once every advert copy placed in the media delivers verifiable value, then growth is assured.

On the anniversary, he restated what the president said during the press parley, that it would be a celebration of ideas.

That ADVAN is the only such association in the subcontinent means that is functional was why the International body of Advertisers mandated ADVAN use its template to help grow the association in neighboring countries.

Mr. Abiola concluded that the executive's mandate is clear, and that with the pedigree of those elected, he is certain that all projects initiated during their tenure would be completed.

I wish them the best of luck.

My Ten Kobo.