By Idris Alooma

As part of their effort to promote corporate social responsibility initiatives in the country, 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 at the 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 refresher for brand writers on critical and emerging issues in global sustainability as well as afford them the opportunity to share ideas with stakeholders in the industry.

Guest speakers include the Chief Executive Officer of Tru Contact Communications, 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 Adviser, Media and Communications to the Oyo State Governor, Dr Festus Adedayo, among other distinguished industry professionals.

The lead speaker would be announced in the coming week, the Association 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.

Recall that BJAN, in the effort to galvanize professional excellence in brand reporting, has since 2013 organised annual conferences to stimulate industry discussions on national issues.

The theme for its maiden edition was “Repositioning Centenary Brands to Align with Modern Realities was held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital. While in 2014, the theme dwell on “Tourism Marketing as Catalyst for Economic Development” was held in 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 point in the imc industry calendar.