Mr. Ibrahim Dasuki Arabi, Ag. Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) recently held an official meeting with the Ag. Registrar/Chief Executive of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mrs. Ijedi Iyoha with her team and the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Brandmarks, Mr. Chidi Onwumere.
Arabi in his welcome remarks gave a presentation on the core mandates of the Bureau, its achievements since inception and its challenges. He said that the visit of APCON was a welcome development especially after the one-day Public Sector Branding Summit organized by it and its advertising agencies. He reiterated that the meeting was very necessary to enable both parties review the Communiqué of the Branding Summit going forward. He also noted that the Council hurriedly carried out the Summit and that before any subsequent summit, the BPRS and APCON must be very prepared with expanded discussion involving the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and its Agencies, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service(OHCSF), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Galaxy Back borne and any other Agencies that have related responsibilities.
He emphasised that the discussion must spell out the extent of the branding, what should be branded and how to do it because according to him, the Public Service is very broad and elaborate with its various rules and regulations. The Ag. DG noted however that any new idea from the Council is welcome as change is the only permanent thing.
The BPSR helmsman drew the attention of APCON to some unpleasant adverts on the Televisions which he suggested should not be aired until after midnight. He therefore urged them to be more mindful of such adverts that may be disgusting.
Inclusion, Mr. Arabi expressed his happiness to collaborate with APCON which he expects will support BPSR to increase visibility on government’s reforms policies and programmes.
In a brief response, Mrs. Ijedi Iyoha, the Ag. Registrar/CEO of APCON appreciated the Ag. DG, congratulated him and staff of the Bureau for very laudable achievements over the years to date. She revealed that the DG’s presentation was an eye opener to her and her team because they never knew that the Bureau was doing so much.
Mrs. Iyoda briefly stated the core mandate of the Council which is basically to carry out regulatory functions and monitor communication in terms of advertisement. She said the Council tries to control what is being passed to the public ensuring that they are not injurious. According to her, APCON trains the advertising practitioners and accredit advertising courses. APCON was established in 1999 she added.
The visiting team noted that visibility is very necessary to expose the activities of the Bureau to Nigerians. The Ag. Registrar also informed that the Council collaborates with the advertising agencies which have the funds needed to improve the image and branding of Nigeria.