FCT DOAS, OUTDOOR ADVERT EXPERTS, OTHERS BRAINSTORM AT WORKSHOP
By: Ngozi Ufomba
To enhance the knowledge and practice of out-of-home (OOH) advertising in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), in collaboration with Phritnol Nigeria Limited (PNL), has organized a one-day training workshop for staff and advertising practitioners in FCT with the theme, ‘Productive and profitable out-of-home (OOH) media practice’.
Acting Director, DOAS, Tpl. Akanimo Udoh, who was represented at the event by the head of monitoring, enforcement, and evaluation, Engr. Babadiya Akintunde said that the workshop was organized to train staff of DOAS and practitioners on the working procedures and operations of the OOH media operations of DOAS.
According to TPL. Udoh, “We are collaborating with the DPNL organisation to ensure that staff become more effective and efficient in performing their duties.”
The Director emphasized the need for OOH practitioners to adopt the right procedures and operations in carrying out their outdoor business so that they will not violate the rules and regulations guiding the practice in the FCT.
Also speaking, President of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Sola Akintola, said that the workshop was the second time OAAN had collaborated with DOAS in such training.
Akintola commended advertising practice done within the limits of decency, regulations, and guidelines as approved by the relevant laws.
He said: “Our interest is to ensure that people do business in ways that align with guidelines and provisions of the extant laws such that their businesses will be profitable to them, and the brands being promoted will enjoy the intended visibility and exposure.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that the workshop will help to promote better understanding of OOH practices in FCT, pointing out that “if you must do outdoor business in Abuja, you must know the laws guiding the practice of out-of-home practices in Abuja.”
Also, Managing Director (MD) of GEMS Communication, Prince Atilola Odudare, said that running a successful advertising business involves aligning with new trends in the industry.
His words: “We align our thoughts to the new trends in the industry. We let the young ones in the industry know what it takes to run, and also the old ones to know the dos and don’ts of the business.”
Odudare advised up-and-coming OOH practitioners to play by the rules to remain in business and avoid sanctions, which can affect their reputation.
On his part, MD, Phritnol Nigeria Limited, Dr Bankole Ebisemiju, said that the training session would focus on capacity building to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge in the industry.
He said that the training was primarily to educate practitioners on the operational perspective in OOH practices as well as the accounting and legal aspects involved in doing the outdoor business.
Abuja Digest reports that the workshop brought together professionals from various backgrounds, including media owners/experts, billboard owners, OOH practitioners, as well as DOAS staff members.
