… Calls for cooperation of outdoor advertising practitioners in tax remittance
Ikechukwu Emetu, deputy governor of Abia State has said that the current administration in the state is doing all it can to transform the state into a global economic hub, which is why the state is providing necessary infrastructure needed for the economy to thrive smoothly.
Emetu, made this known, Thursday in Aba, the state’s commercial hub, during one day “Stakeholders Engagement Forum” with the theme “The Future of Outdoor Advertising, Challenges and Prospects”, organised, by the Abia state Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA).
Represented at the forum, by Caleb Ajagba, chief of staff to Governor Alex Otti, the Abia Deputy Governor, thanked Victoria Onwubiko, managing director/ chief executive of ABSSAA for bringing professionals to Abia, describing the stakeholders’ engagement, as productive and one that is in line with the visions of Governor Otti.
He told the stakeholders that what Abia state government, led by Governor Alex Otti, has continued to do since it came into power is to create an enabling environment, and enablers for businesses to thrive.
Emetu, said that when demands are stimulated, through advertisement that people will want to buy goods, but when they do not have access to locate the seller, because of bad road, it means nothing is working.
Read also: Abia State on the spotlight: An insight into 2025
“Therefore Otti, is creating channels everywhere to ensure that your clients and intending clients get to you. Otti wants to make Aba the economic hub here.
“He is intentional in what he is doing, which is why the Greater Aba, Greater Umuahia and Greater Ohafia Development Authorities are created, so that anywhere you place your advert in Abia, your customers can locate you with ease”.
He noted that digital schools are also being created in Abia to give the state fresh minds that will understand the direction government is going into.
“The money that’ll be used to create this development will come from the revenue we get from you. Your tax is important and that is why we need it, so that we can meet your demands”.
Emetu, said that there are much opportunities for advertisers in Aba, but urged them to think of how their clients in Abia will benefit from their service, because such will make businesses in Abia to be known beyond the shores of the country.
“Think of how your clients will benefit from your services. Show them the values you are creating for them to trust you.
“Whatever Otti is doing to make Abia an Industrial hub and people outside don’t get to about it, our efforts will be defeated.
“It is necessary for you to creatively show Abia small and medium entreprenuer (SMEs) drivers, the benefits of advertising, so that they can engage your services for their own good”.
Sola Akinsiku, president, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), in a keynote address, described the event, as something important and urged advertising companies to be members of OAAN.
He described the association, as one that protects its members and have serious and important economic role it is currently playing in Nigeria with huge beneficial effects, through nurturing of perceptions.
Akinsiku, urged all OAAN members in Abia state to cooperate with ABSSAA, to help grow their businesses and create an aesthetic environment.
He said that the creation of ABSSAA in Abia state, was a wise decision that has brought everything about advertising under one umbrella that makes regulation very easier and smooth.
Akinsiku stressed that OAAN members must be open to regulation, stressing that the association is never against regulation and any move made by government to bring sanity to the environment
Victoria Onwubiko, managing director/ chief executive, ABSSAA said that the advertising landscape in Abia State has undergone significant transformation since the establishment of ABSSAA, as enshrined in the Abia Law No. 9 of 2012.
She said that the agency which took off effectively in 2016, has the mandate to control and regulate the placement of outdoor advertising materials and to demand and collect revenues from both first-party and third-party users.
Onwubiko, stressed that inasmuch as ABSSAA is meant to collect revenues, it is equally designed to be brand builder for the state and, with other government arms, embark on beautification projects across the state.
