The minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi has urged the advertising and integrated marketing communications industry to educate Nigerians about the many economic opportunities that are blossoming around them.
Idris said this at the National Advertising Conference (ARCON) in Abuja, adding that the public should be informed of the government’s attempts to improve their lives.
The theme of the conference is “Marketing Communication as an Enabler of National Transformation.”
The minister who was represented byMalam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), urged the marketing professionals to bring their creative solutions and approaches to aid the government in its efforts towards economic transformation.
“We need your unparalleled network, and we need your platforms. This is not about propaganda or noise-making, no! Instead, it is about enlightenment, sensitization, about opening the eyes of Nigerians,” Malagi said.
He listed the various economic reforms embarked on by the government and called on marketing professionals to help sensitize Nigerians to these initiatives. He also emphasized the need for information to be conveyed to the public without sensationalism or distortion.
The federal government recently launched several SME support programs, including the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme and Palliative Programs, aimed at traders, artisans, transporters, vendors, and creatives with grants and low-cost loans.
The minister acknowledged the crucial role played by the advertising and integrated marketing communications industry in shaping hearts and minds and urged the industry to serve as a catalyst for Nigeria’s social and economic transformation.
The National Advertising Conference was organized by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (ARCON) with the support of various stakeholders, including the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN).
Earlier, the GMD Republicom, chairman, organising committee National Advertising Conference, Tunji Adeyinka said that with the challenges facing the macro and micro levels, especially with the economic, social and political problems, it is imperative to begin to create a path out of the difficulties.
He said, “We are particularly interested in the SME’s as they are critical driver of economic growth with a current contribution of 48% to our GDP.”
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