Nation
TV Producers Laud ARCON Over Advertising Protection
The Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) has commended the decision of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to implement effective regulatory framework designed to protect advertising businesses in Nigeria.
ITPAN President, Mr Adeyinka Oduniyi, made the commendation in a statement in Lagos.
ARCON had announced that it would commence the implementation of a policy to ensure a minimum of 75 per cent commulative local content of all advertising, advertisment and marketing communication materials with effect from January 1, 2023.
Oduniyi said this conforms with the Federal Government’s policy of developing local talent and achieving an inclusive economic growth for all sectors, including advertising.
According to him, this will spur job creation, inclusive growth and development of various sectors of the economy.
“It is with great excitement and relief that we receive the delightful news that the Federal Government, National Assembly and ARCON have finally decided on a more effective regulatory framework.
“This is to guide and protect the practice of advertising and its ancillary businesses in conformity with the best practices within the global advertising community,” he said.
He noted that ITPAN had long been an advocate and campaigner for urgent and critical policy interventions to save the practice and business of advertising in Nigeria.
He said before now, the advertising industry had recorded loss of about N120 billion annually to production of advertising, advertisements and marketing communication materials outside the country.
He noted that it was disheartening to know that the industry in Nigeria had all but collapsed with the attendant massive loss of jobs and weakened capacity to contribute to the country’s GDP.
“This has led to some of the core advertising agencies branching out into other areas of mass communications to stay afloat while hundreds of employees have lost their means of livelihood.
“Even those in the allied businesses of audio-visual productions, casting and modeling have had to move away into other fields of human endeavor just as training investments have continued to dwindle overtime.
“But with the recent development, it is the way to go in moving the industry forward,” he said.
Also, former President of ITPAN, Mr Femi Odugbemi said, “Our advertisers and agencies are investing locally generated money to develop the production industry in other countries which obviously do not need our generosity.
“It is therefore gratifying to identify with and fully endorse the noble determination of the ARCON, not only to stem the hemorrhage but to deliberately put in place a policy environment that will protect and encourage the rebuilding of a viable and sustainable advertising industry.
“This is for the overall good of our national economy, to the profit of the practitioners and for the cultural benefits of our people”.
Odugbemi said that at fruition, the new policy wiould put an immediate end to the acts of ferrying production of audio-visual advertisement materials to producers in foreign countries.
He explained that it would also discourage the use of foreign models and voice-over artistes, thereby returning the jobs to equally and even better skilled Nigerians.
“As a direct consequence, the very many lost briefs and jobs shall return while our languishing production equipment shall find opportunities for productive engagements.
“Business owners shall be encouraged to re-invest and re-employ those who have been redundant; new investors and investments shall be attracted to bring in funding opportunities that financial institutions can leverage.
“This bold commitment by the regulator and government deserves the total support and equal commitment of all stakeholders,organisations including ADVAN and other practitioners to bring the initiative to full fruition for our mutual benefits.
“We strongly recommend that ARCON must demand total compliance with this new policy regime in order that the sdvertising industry and its ancillaries may fully return to add value to our national desire to become big, strong and formidable.
“On our part, ITPAN hereby commits to engage with ARCON and other critical stakeholders to begin the rejuvenation process.
“This is by developing ideas and strategies, implementing strategic partnerships and business opportunities that can lead to a more prosperous and sustainable industry for Nigeria and its people,” he said.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
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