Airtel Nigeria confirms resignation of Olu Akanmu, Chief Marketing Officer

Airtel Networks Limited on Thursday confirmed that Mr. Olu Akanmu, its Chief Marketing Officer has resigned his appointment with the company to pursue other interests-with effect from Wednesday, May 22, 2013.  More after the cut.......

According to a statement, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Airtel was quoted as saying, “Mr. Akanmu led the marketing function at a crucial time in the life of our organization and brought his over two decades of marketing experience and a rich knowledge of the telecommunications market to bear on his role as our CMO.
Mr Akanmu resigned his appointment on Wednesday 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.

His resignnation was linked to the discovery that Airtel breach APCON's rule, published an advert in one of Nigeria’s national dailies without clearance from him.

Akanmu was said to be 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 a disobey court order,” the paper said.  Wishing him the very best in his future endeavours.”