It was a sad start to the week as the news broke this morning about the death of Dr. May Nzeribe, an elder statesman of the Nigerian advertising industry.

The great man, who died while receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom, was also a civil war veteran: He was not only a major in the Biafran Army but also a one-time ADC to Biafran Head of State, General Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who died almost a year ago – on November 26, 2011.   

Nzeribe is however better known as an ad master. He did not only successfully build an ad firm, Sunrise d’Arcy, but was also a renowned industry administrator, having once served as Chairman of the industry regulator, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Niger (APCON).

A cerebral ad scholar, Nzeribe was also an author. His last book, Advertising Ethics and Regulation in Nigeria: The Challenges, was presented to the public amid fanfare at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos, earlier this year. The book has been likened to the “Bible and Hymn Book” of Nigerian advertising.

Nzeribe took ill shortly after the book presentation, News Express, was told, and was moved abroad last month for better medical attention after receiving initial treatment in Lagos.

“It is a sorrowful day for the ad industry,” said an industry chieftain who spoke with News Express. “We received the news this morning and everyone is mourning.”  

Nzeribe, who is credited as one of those behind the creation and successful take-off of APCON, is survived by children and relatives. During his last encounter with News Express, he spoke nostalgically about his beloved wife, who died some four years ago. A part of him died with his wife; now it’s time for him, too, to rest.

An accomplished ad man, Nzeribe served on the International Advertising Association (IAA), World Board of Directors, as well as a member of IAA’s Professional Development Group. He was President of IAA Nigeria Chapter, three terms President of the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria - AAPN (now Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria - AAPN). He was formerly chairman of Nigeria’s Advertising Standards Panel (ASP).  He was the only Black African recipient of the IAA’s Medal of Merit, an honour with which he was bestowed in 2000 in London.

•Photo: Late Dr. May Nzeribe.