Media expert seeks government, Outdoor practitioners’ partnership on environmental sustainability

With concern for global warming and environmental issues, a media practitioner has suggested for collaboration between Out of Home operators and government to make Nigeria’s N25 billion outdoor industry a veritable tool to achieve environmental aesthetics and sustainability

Speaking at the ‘Brand As King’ award in Lagos, the former director general of Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency, Yinka Adepoju said for out of home practitioners there is need to make outdoor structures more eco-friendly as it is the trend globally.

For practitioners more roles in ensuring sustainable environment, Adepoju suggested for the use solar and wind energy instead of electricity or generators to power illuminated billboard installations so as to be more energy efficient and cut down on air pollution

According to him, there is also the need for the installation of timer switches programmed to switch off light on illuminated outdoor advertising structures when people are off the roads for better energy conservation.

“As practitioners of repute, we must ensure strict adherence to high ethical standards, global best practices especially in the area of health, safety and environment policies and regulations, specification, fulfilling safety and aesthetic objectives of the state. Also, fulfilling our financial obligation to the state by paying our taxes/bills as at when due”

Tasking his colleagues to ensure the Mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is performed before erecting Out of Home Structures, Adepoju strongly believed that sustainability of our environment is key to the Economic Growth of our country. Therefore, if we want a great Nigeria, we as outdoor advertising practitioners must contribute meaningfully and pursue vigorously environmental policies as laid down by Government.

On the role of government, Adepoju said there is need for creation enabling environment that supports investment growth.

“Government needs to carry out huge reforms capable of boosting employment opportunities especially among the youths. Also, look into obnoxious policies that can create social problems i.e. unhealthy environmental issues, multiple taxation, security issue which in my opinion must be given top priority. Efficient police patrol which must be carried out 24/7 to protect lives and properties including the expensive outdoor structures which are on the highways”.

He further tasked government to curb cattle rustling which is fast becoming a social issue. “If care is not taken, it will ravage whatever great effort the practitioners and Government may put in place in the area of greener and well landscaped environment”.

In her comment, Maureen Umanah, editor-in-chief of Billboardworld Magazine, organizer of the award the 2015 discussion was the Billboard’s way of encouraging the subsector to continuously nurture, protect and sustain the immediate environment from the dreaded global warming and its harmful effects.

She said the award is a corporate social initiative aimed at encouraging, motivating and rewarding key industry players and brands that have distinguished themselves and have added immense value to the growth and development of OOH media and the Nigeria advertising business in general.

Daniel Obi