APCON Inducts 73 Newly Registered Members, Hunts for New Framework for Minimum Standard for Advertising Practitioners

 

….graduates 172

 

The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has inducted 73 new members into the professional advertising practice while conducting the graduation ceremony for 172 students from its professional diploma in advertising programme.

 

The ceremony which held at the Radisson Blu hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State on 21st June, 2021 was graced by the presence of distinguished personalities, and industry players in the sectors. These include, APCON Registrar/Chief Executive, DR. Olalekan Fadolapo; Vice Chairman/Group Chief Executive Officer, Troyka Holdings Limited, MR. Jimi Awosika; Deputy Director, Registration, Career Matters and Corporate License Directorate, APCON, Mr Joe- Eugene Onuorah; and President, Media Independent Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Femi Adelusi amongst others.

 

In his special remarks, APCON Registrar, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo while addressing the graduands encouraged them to work assiduously to improve themselves and support the efforts of the approved governing council consciously, and in full knowledge that as a stakeholder, their contributions and support are valuable to the growth of the profession.

 

His words: “I heartily congratulate the graduates and candidates for induction, as well as the associate registered practitioners who will be upgraded to full membership having satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Advertising Practitioners (Registration Etc.) Act, CAP A7, Laws of Federation of Nigerian 2004.”

 

He further stated: “It is also important to note that APCON recognizes the importance of continuous training and constant engagement with young professionals in our industry. We encourage you to consider our training programmes a priority for your personal development and to participate in them regularly.”

 

The guest speaker, Mr. Jimi Awosika commenting on the induction ceremony explained that periodic admission of professional practitioners is the mechanism on which the sustainability or decline of institutions hinge, “much like birth to families keep the human race going”.

 

The Registrar extended his apologies to the old graduands whose graduation ceremonies have not been conducted.

 

 “The Council sincerely regrets the delay in holding the graduation ceremony earlier for some of the graduates here today. The transitory absence of a Governing Council led to those circumstances which elicited the intervention of the Honorable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to ensure your successful passage into our noble profession. That is why we are putting together all the graduands of the time past, to the most recent people that have graduated from our programme,” he said.

 

APCON maintains a strong focus on its vision of promoting responsible and ethical advertising practice, acts as the conscience of society in matters of commercial communications and as a watchdog for consumers. It also manages the needs and interests of stakeholders in Nigeria’s advertising industry.

 

To enroll for the APCON Professional Diploma in Advertising programme, candidates must possess a Degree or Higher National Diploma in any discipline.

 

A candidate whose degree or HND is in advertising, mass communications, marketing or graphics arts will be exempted from courses they have passed on the presentation of original and valid academic transcripts from the awarding institution.

 

Successful completion of this programme qualifies the candidate for the APCON Professional Diploma in Advertising, required for registration as an associate member of the advertising profession.

 

Meanwhile, the advertising regulatory body has announced that it has re-jigged its efforts across a broad spectrum of the council’s influence to bring about operational framework efficiencies across the different sectoral groups.

 

According to Registrar/CEO, the council has set up a committee made up of all sectoral groups in the industry to produce a suitable framework to define a minimum standard expected in any relationship by the parties playing the industry’s field of business.

 

“The Standard of Practice Committee has since began work and the outcome of the exercise is expected to be adopted and given the operational force of law. With this, we hope to curb the incessant debt claims and counterclaims between advertisers, agencies, and media houses while making our model the subject of emulation globally,” he further disclosed.

 

Referring to multiple approaches being deployed, Dr. Fadolapo disclosed, “recent activities which will potentially propel the industry to achieve better positioning and improved value delivery profitable to registered advertising practitioners, as well as advancement in the public interest, has taken place”.

 

He also alluded to APCON’s participation in the Public Hearing on the Bill to repeal and re-enact an enabling Act for the Council.

 

 “Since the promulgation of Decree No. 55 of 1988 (over three decades) which establish the Council, this is the first major legislative action aimed to improve APCON’s mandates, functions, and powers over advertising and marketing communications in Nigeria”, he said.

 

Similarly, APCON has also set up a Code Review Committee for the purpose of reviewing the 5th edition of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice, Sales Promotion, and other Rights and Restriction on Practice. The review, apart from bringing the Code up to date, will also upgrade it to be at par with what is obtainable in other countries, in line with international best practices.