Top executives, brand strategists and marketing communications professionals have called for greater emphasis on integrity, mentorship and human capital development as drivers of sustainable business growth and societal impact.
The call was made at the second edition of The Industry Impact Summit and Top 50 Men of Impact 2.0, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, in commemoration of International Men’s Day.
The summit brought together industry leaders to examine the evolving responsibilities of men in leadership, mentorship and the development of brands, businesses and society.
In his opening remarks, the Convener of the Industry Impact Summit and Publisher of The Industry Newspaper, Goddie Ofose, expressed appreciation to the event's faculty for accepting his invitation and contributing their expertise to the gathering.
He introduced the panel members, highlighting their professional achievements and contributions to the marketing communications industry. They included Franklin Ozekhome, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Chain Reactions Africa; Stephen Onaivi, Managing Director, mediaReach OMD Nigeria; Yinka Adebayo, Group Executive Director, OMG WeCa; Otis Ojeikhoa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Brands Optimal Limited; and Emmanuel (Charis) Adediran, Business Unit Director, Plus Acuity.
The discussion was moderated by Kenneth Iruonagbe, Group Head, Digital Marketing, TGI Group.
Ofose encouraged participants to contribute actively to the conversation, stressing that the summit was an opportunity to challenge perspectives, share experiences and reflect on what it means to be a man, builder and leader in contemporary Nigeria.
With the theme, "Responsibility and Impact: The Role of Men as Builders of Brands, Business, and Society," the summit featured discussions on how personal integrity, mentorship and investment in human capital can strengthen the marketing communications industry and deliver lasting societal value.
Speaking on the broader influence of brand building, Franklin Ozekhome, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at Chain Reactions Africa, said marketing and communications professionals have responsibilities that extend beyond commercial campaigns.
According to him, "It actively shapes the social fabric by influencing how individuals interact, form relationships, and build trust within their communities. Every strategic initiative and story you put forward helps establish cultural touchpoints, guiding everyday choices and defining the standards of engagement across diverse consumer segments."
On the relationship between personal integrity and corporate reputation, Otis Ojeikhoa, Managing Director and CEO of Brands Optimal Limited, emphasised that brands inevitably reflect the character of the people behind them.
He maintained that long-term business sustainability depends fundamentally on strong individual values and integrity.
Addressing leadership, mentorship and professional legacy, Stephen Onaivi, Managing Director of mediaReach OMD Nigeria, said leadership should be measured by more than immediate business performance and corporate achievements.
He noted that the growth, mentorship and eventual success of younger professionals remain important measures of effective leadership.
Reflecting on his own leadership journey, Onaivi said his greatest professional fulfilment comes not simply from corporate milestones but from seeing young talents around him make meaningful progress and develop the confidence to assume leadership responsibilities.
Similarly, Yinka Adebayo, Group Executive Director at OMG WeCa, urged corporate executives to give personal development and people management the same attention they devote to achieving key performance indicators (KPIs).
He also emphasised the importance of family, encouraging professionals to involve their loved ones in their work by sharing the brands and projects they help build. According to him, this creates a stronger connection between family members and the vision, achievements and successes that define their professional journeys.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Adediran, Business Unit Director at Plus Acuity Limited, highlighted the importance of industry recognition and structured leadership development in nurturing future leaders.
He expressed appreciation for platforms such as the Industry Impact Summit, noting that deliberate recognition helps create a sustainable cycle of leadership development across the industry.
Drawing from his personal experience, Adediran described himself as a beneficiary of structured leadership development, adding that the opportunity comes with a responsibility to give back through mentorship and investment in the growth of younger professionals.
The event, convened by Ofose, was also positioned as an opportunity to recognise the contributions, sacrifices and often unseen responsibilities of men in business and society.
This year's summit coincided with Ofose's birthday, providing an opportunity for him to express gratitude following his recovery from recent health challenges.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Top 50 Men of Impact 2.0 list, which recognised distinguished personalities across marketing, media and corporate leadership.
Among those honoured were Tony Agenmonmen, Rufai Oseni, Biodun Coker, Stanley Okpara, Aninetie Udoh, Yinka Adebayo, Franklin Ozekhome and Emmanuel Adediran.
The late John Ajayi, founder of MarketingEdge, also received a posthumous honour in recognition of his foundational contributions to brand journalism.
The event also featured the Top 6 Special Recognition Awards, presented to outstanding agencies across six major marketing communications sub-sectors.
The recipients were SO&U for Advertising, Chain Reactions Africa for Public Relations, Lilvera for Digital Marketing, FPL Media for Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, mediaReach OMD for Media Independent and Brands Optimal Limited for Experiential Marketing.
In addition, Ofose announced the forthcoming Industry Changemakers Summit, scheduled for December 4, 2026. The event will focus on women's narrative leadership under the theme, "Voice and Visibility: Amplified."
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