General
Nigeria Marketing Communications Industry Has Lost a Rare Gem—Adelusi
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The President of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Mr Femi Adelusi, has described the passing of the Regional Chief Executive Officer of Omnicom Media Group (OMG) West & Central Africa (WeCA), Mr Tolu Ogunkoya, as a huge loss to the marketing communications industry in Nigeria and Africa.
According to him, the deceased was a shining example of dedication, professionalism, and excellence, a very rare gem, and not many have his type of business and leadership DNA.
The marketing communication guru died on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in the United Kingdom.
Until his death, Mr Ogunkoya was the Chairman of the 15-Member Ministerial Task Team set up by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, in January 2022 to fashion out and implement five fundamental reforms that would ensure the recovery of the advertising and broadcast sectors in Nigeria, within the next few years, working closely with the Director-Generals of ARCON and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
A Fellow of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), formerly (APCON), Mr Ogunkoya was inducted as the 87th Fellow of the practice in Nigeria in 2010.
He was a Council Member and Fellow of the Institute of Directors (IOD) Nigeria and an alumni member of the Lagos Business School & the Ashridge Business School in Berkhamsted, UK.
The late Ogunkoya started his advertising career 33 years ago at the then-called Insight Communications and distinguished himself as a thoughtful and reliable young executive.
He was at SO&U for almost 10 years, where he became a key member of the leadership team, working simultaneously as the Media Lead for the Agency when he headed an Account Service Team.
In early 1999, he was head hunted and became the pioneer CEO of MediaReach Nigeria (now known as MediaReach OMD). At the organisation, Ogunkoya assembled and led a team of determined advertising executives to set standards by which the industry now leverages.
With his team at MediaReach OMD, he set a new standard of professionalism, driven by technology and innovations in the practice of media strategy, planning, buying and implementation in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
Under his leadership, MediaReach OMD introduced the Nigerian Media Facts Book in 2001, which has become the industry bible for media audience data and trends in the Nigeria Marketing Communications Industry. The scope of the publication was later expanded in 2006 to cover countries in West & Central Africa, written in English & French as “Nigeria/West & Central Africa Media Facts Book.”
He was bestowed with numerous laurels and commendations, including the MIPAN’s Outstanding Advertising Media Personality (OMP) for three decades in 2021, TIES – The Industry Award 2020 – Lifetime Award Winner (of three recipients in 2020), and the Brand Journalist Association of Nigeria (BJAN) Excellence Award 2018 as the Most Professional Media Practitioner in Nigeria.
Other achievements include the Outstanding Contributor to the Media Industry in the Marketing Award 2016, the Success Digest Enterprise Award, and the Male Entrepreneur of the Year 2011,
His legacy in the integrated marketing communication industry, especially media independence (strategy and management) remains indelible.
He is fondly remembered by his wife, children, family and the entire marketing communication industry.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
