Foremost cement manufacturer, Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading fast moving consumer goods, (FMCG) company, Nestle Plc, and Nigeria’s number one quick service restaurant, UAC Restaurants, operators of Mr. Bigg’s, have thrown their weight behind the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) 2015 annual conference scheduled to hold between November 19 to 21 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

With the theme, ‘Challenges and Prospects of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, in Nigeria- the Roles of Organisations, Government and the Media’, the conference will feature seasoned industry practitioners who will gather August conference to proffer solutions to the growing need for CSR sustainability in Nigeria.

Speaking on the conference, president of BJAN, Mr. Goddie Ofose, said the 3rd BJAN conference has been designed as part of efforts to, among other things provide platform for discussion on serious issues, engender opportunities for bonding between brand journalists’ and the private sector as well as other critical stakeholders.

He explained further that the conference will also provide refreshers for brand writers on critical and emerging issues in global sustainability as well as affording brand writers the opportunity of sharing ideas with stakeholders in the industry.

Guest speakers include the Chief Executive Officer of Tru Contact, the organiser of the annual CSR Award in Nigeria, Mr. Ken Egbas, the Chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON and Managing Director of SO&U, Mr. Ufot Udeme and the Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Wale Sadiq, among other distinguished industry professionals.

The lead speaker would be announced in the coming week, BJAN has said.

“Besides, the conference will present opportunity for BJAN to appreciate outstanding brand reporting in Nigeria as it will be awarding the best brand reporter of the year,” a BJAN statement said.

News Express recalls that BJAN, in the effort to galvanise professional excellence in brand reporting, has since 2013 organised annual conferences to stimulate industry discussions on national issues. The maiden edition was held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while in 2014, the train moved to Oshogbo, Osun State.

This year, as experts in the CSR industry and related gather to brainstorm on various aspect of sustainability, it is expected that grey areas in sustainable reporting, sustainable corporate practices, and sustainable environment, among other local and global issues will be addressed.

The Association however called on corporate organisations to support the event, which has become one of the reference points in the integrated marketing communications (IMC) industry calendar.

•Photo shows BJAN President Goddie Ofose.

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