ADVAN Frowns at Harassment of Members

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has described invitation of its members to stand trial as a huge humiliation. The organisation has come out to oppose and condemn such move.
In a statement signed by ADVAN Executive Council, noted that its members, which are corporate entities, have followed due process to promote their goods and services.
It read, “The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) vehemently opposes the harassment of her members (which are corporate entities that utilize advertising and marketing to promote their goods and services). These invitations to CEOs of reputable Nigerian brands, to stand ‘trial’ is a huge embarrassment and humiliation of law-abiding corporate entities, and has caused a total loss of trust for ARCON as an institution.
“The harassment and threats of criminal trials to CEOs of both local and multi-nationals is antithetical to the reforms being proposed by the Federal Government through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council on Ease of Doing Business (PEBEC), and the need to remove all forms of bottlenecks in driving the Nigerian economy.”
ADVAN further stated, “ADVAN members hereby speak unequivocally against this travesty called ARCON Regulation, as a continuance of this line of action will sabotage all forms of viable activities in the industry. Regulation should be instrumental to an enabling environment where stakeholders can count on fair, clearly articulated guidelines for business activities, and ADVAN members are very supportive of all fair regulations, which enable equitable business activities.”
Asking some fundamental industry questions, ADVAN Executive Council posited that regulation should not be ambiguous or selective in its applications. Rather, it should be clearly defined with stakeholders continuously engaged in a quest for seamless implementation.
“Nigeria is currently bowed under one of the most turbulent economic conditions. The position of regulatory institutions at these dire times should be one of research and benchmarking for relevant policies, and consistent stakeholder engagement towards viable economic solutions and growth.
“It is time for ARCON to pull the reins on its regime of arbitrary policy initiatives, that is pushing a once buoyant and collaborative industry into chaos, and embark on critical stakeholder dialogue and engagement to foster renewed hope and support for the industry,” the statement added.
ADVAN contested that a regulatory body for advertising cannot set up a tribunal with powers to hear, try, deliver judgment and sentence.
“Such is clearly a violation of the constitution of the nation. ARCON cannot constitutionally act as both the prosecutor and the judge in relation to matters which they have by themselves, labelled as advertising offences.
“The tribunal constituted by ARCON is merely an appendage of ARCON and is propagating the agenda of ARCON,” it noted.