Olu Akanmu Takes a Walk from Airtel Nigeria

The Chief Marketing Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Olu Akanmu, yesterday resigned his appointment following the intractable crises between the telecoms company and the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, on one hand and advertising agency, Prima Garnet Africa, on the other.

Sources in the telecoms firm said that Akanmu resigned after it was discovered that Airtel, in breach of APCON rules, published an advert in one of Nigeria’s national dailies without clearance from him.

It was learnt Akanmu was angry that the advert was published without reverting to him, a factor that suggested lack of respect for his office as the Chief Marketing Officer.

Akanmu, who was said to have expressed his anger over the published advert, which was in clear violation of a court order that Airtel should maintain status quo in a dispute it has with Lolu Akinwunmi’s Prima Garnet, was reported to have expressed his disappointment to the management over the company’s inclination to disobey court order.

With the resignation of Akanmu from Airtel, the crises brewing between Scanad Nigeria, an agency owned by Indian Bharat Thakrar and Prima Garnet, has claimed its first major scalp.

Managing Director, Blueflower Limited, Airtel publicists, Mr. Chido Nwakama, when contacted last night said a statement would be issued soon.

However, multiple industry sources confirmed the development last night.