Your Excellency, the governor of Lagos State Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, The chairman of the occasion Mr. Biodun Shobajo; Frpa (vice Chairman Troyka Group) The chairman, APCON Governing Council Dr. May Nzeribe; frpa, The special Guest of Honour chief John Odeyemi (President NACCIMA), Senior government Officials, All sectoral President, All Captain of Industry here present, Members of The Executive council & Board of Trustees of OAAN, APCON Governing Council Members, Distinguished Marketing Communications Practitioners, Gentlement of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am delighted to welcome you all to 5th Poster Awards ceremony organized by our Association. Poster awards as originated by my predecessors, was designed to promote creativity in Outdoor advertising poster designing and ever since the Award started the standard of creativity for the medium has improved tremendously in Nigeria, as copy writers/visualizers now take greater care in churning out from their creative mills, short copy, bold and creative colour illustrations that has been competing favourably to designs from developed countries. It is in this regard that we have decided to continue with the award as our own (OAAN) contribution to the development of advertising Practice in Nigeria. There is no doubt that tonight is another unique gathering of distinguished audience that values creativity, which is the bedrock of exciting and effective communication. I wish to say that it has out among the 'crowd' in terms of the creativity in the last twelve (12) months.

THE LONG BREAK
Distinguished practitioners and guests, you no doubt would have noticed that we could not hold the biennial 2004 edition; of the award, this was as a result of the instability witnessed by our industry between 2003 - 2005, caused by several human and governmental factors which resulted in the removal/demotion of our billboards of the Nigerian roads by Governments in Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, Abuja F.C.T. and Oyo States as a result of disputed financial demands and multiple controls, which led to litigation in various High courts of the land. Distinguished guests you will agree with us that those period was like a war - time era and certainly not the best of times to hold this sort of creative awards, which is a showcasing of creativity. We however thank God, that we have now achieve some level of understanding with the Government; thus leading to the better conducive atmosphere and respect we now enjoy, hence the confidence that led us to organize and showcase creativity tonight.

THE AWARD ITS CLASSIFICATION
We have provided (19) + (1) Nineteen categories to be competed for, with an Overall Winner award thus making (20) awards to be given out tonight. We are also honouring past leaders of our industry that has contributed in no small measure to the development and progress of the Outdoor Advertising Industry, namely my immediate past President High Chief (Dr.) J.A.S. Kolawole Oyekan; frpa and one of our former trustees Chief J.O.A. shoaga Chairman, Presto Display Services. They are both veterans and achievers in the advertising industry that has left their indelible marks in the life of our industry and Nigeria's Ad. Practice. I salute and congratulate both of them.

MERIT AWARDS
We are also honouring past leaders of our industry that have contributed in no small measure to the development and progress of the Outdoor Advertising Industry, namely my immediately past President High Chief Jas Oyekan;frpa

1.		Dr. A.C. Daramola		Unilag		ACADEMIA		Chairman
2.		Chief Femi Ajayi frpa		(OAAN)		"		Member
3.		Chief Fassy Yusuf frpa		(OAAN)		"		Member
4.		Mr. Emeka Ohagiugha		(MIPAN)		"		Member
5.		Mr. Gbemi Sagay		(AAAN)		"		Member
6.		Mr. Sunkamin Ajiboye		(AAAN)		"		Member
7.		Mr. Raqib Abolore Bashorun		(Yaba Tech)		ACADEMIA		Member
8.		Mr. Philip Elibe		(ADVAN)		"		Member
9.		Mr. Obinna Aniche		(ADVAN)		"		Member
10.		Ms. Martha Onyebuchi		(APCON)		"		Member
11.		Mr. Ben Eke		(CONSUMER)		"		Member
12.		Flora Archibong		(NPAN)		"		Member
13.		Representative of BON		(NPAN)		"		Member
14.		Akinola Dosu		Chartered Secretary		"		(Rep. Akinsec Nominess)

I therefore want to appreciate the sleepless nights observed by panel during their various sittings in their "hideout", all in the bid of doing a good job, to which you shall all attest to tonight. They make their assignment to secret that nobody in this hall, knows the winners till now, except they themselves. To them I say "Thank you".

APPRECIATION

My appreciation also go to our various sponsors that have made this night possible, permit me to single out BAT (British American Tobacco) that indeed set the ball rolling, months ago with their Multi-million Naira support despite the fact that the company's brands no longer enjoy the "invaluable outdoor support" as in yesteryears due to the ban on tobacco product advertising, yet this company has continued to display unprecedented large heart and magnanimity yet to be equaled in this part of the World. We also salute our other sponsors for believing in our medium and Association namely Cadbury Nig. Plc, Guinness Nig, Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, PZ Industries, and OAAN corporate members for their generosity.

INNOVATIONS

OUTDOOR EXHIBITION
The concept of Outdoor Advertising Exhibiting of production and ancillary services suppliers and Outdoor Advertising evolution in Nigeria is being introduced. No doubt in future years especially the 2008 edition would no doubt improve and perfect on this important newly introduced aspect of the Outdoor Awards, which no doubt with good publicity will attract the relevant audience thus turning the Award day to "Outdoor Advertising Day" to be rounded up in the evening wit the award presentations.

RECOGNIZING ART DIRECTORS/COPYWRITERS
Lastly we have also introduced "Creative Awards Certificate" to Art Directors, Copywriters & Agencies behind the winning Ads to reward the unsung heroes of the Marketing communications profession. Efforts have been made to collate the names of such personnel responsible for the winning Ads and they would be presented with their certificates at a later date.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I want to commend the entire Business Relations committee members ably led my vice president Mr. Bankole Ademulegun; frpa. They have indeed worked under very pressurizing conditions to make this day a reality. I say a big thank you, to our distinguished Chairman of the occasion Mr. Biodun Shobanjo; Also Dr. May Nzeribe; frpa, APCON - governing Council Chairman, the representatives of various Governments, The National President of National commerce, Industry and Agriculture, chief John Odeyemi and the inexhaustible list of distinguished audience tonight. Ni say thank you for coming. I can assure you all, of a very memorable and thrilling night. Relax and enjoy yourself as our bandstand and master of ceremony take you a pleasure trip, before, during and after the presentation of awards tonight.

Thank you and God bless.

CHIEF AHMED IPOOLA OMISORE; FRPA

(NATIONAL PRESIDENT OAAN)

HIGHLIGHTS OF PAST POSTER AWARDS CEREMONY




Presentation of Awards in Financial Services Ad category by the Managing Director BAT Nigeria {left} Presenting an Award During the Ceremony


Panel of Judges Brainstorming to determine Winning Ads Behind Closed Doors


Chairman Panel of Judges Mr.Babatunde of the Consumer Protection Council Delivering his address at the last Poster Award Ceremony


Chairman NB Plc, Mr.F.O.A. Ohiwerei Chairman of the occasion Presenting his Address at the 2000 Poster Awards Ceremony


An Array of Awards being Displayed at the 2000 poster Award


Sir Steve Omojafor {left} Presenting An Award to the MD of S.O. & U ltd. Mr. Udeme Ufot a Winner at the 2000 Poster Award Ceremony


Mr. Akingbade Marketing Director NB plc Presenting an award to the MD Media Reach Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya One of the Winners at the 2000 Poster Award


Cross Section of the Ushers at the 2000 Poster Award ceremony

OAAN SHOPS FOR SPONSORS FOR ITS POSTER AWARDS (NEXT EDITION) April 2006

CATEGORIES

For coming Annual Poster Award/(Outdoor Exhibition)

• Major Sponsorship N7.5m



• Category Sponsorship N .5m per category sponsored