Dr. May Nzeribe, the ad guru whose death News Express broke on Monday, has been credited with revolutionising the advertising business in Nigeria.

A statement just released in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, by industry regulator, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), credited Nzeribe with being a change agent in the industry prior to, during and after his tenure as the third chairman of the APCON Council.

“His tenure lasted between October 6, 2003 – May 27, 2007 and was remarkable for the re-organisation of APCON Secretariat into the present directorate structure, the construction of the Lagos office annex (study centre), construction of the APCON House, Kano (which was commissioned after he left office) and the establishment of the Owerri Office. Under his tenure, the window of opportunity scheme for registration of Advertising practitioners was initiated,” said the statement signed by APCON Registrar/CEO, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi.

The statement said that “prior to his appointment as APCON Chairman, May Nzeribe had an illustrious Advertising career that culminated in his founding of Sunrise Advertising Ltd., which he nurtured to become a leading marketing communications agency in the 1990s. He was president of the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, now AAAN from 1992-1995, Chairman of the Advertising Standards Panel, as well as president, international Advertising Association, Nigeria chapter.”

It described Dr. Nzeribe as being “very passionate about professionalism in the Advertising industry,” adding: “He was a strong advocate for ethical and responsible Advertising practice, a subject on which he spoke and wrote extensively. He provided a sound intellectual and professional support to the APCON secretariat even after leaving office as Chairman of the Council.”

Kankarofi said that the elder statesman of advertising, who died November 18 while receiving treatment in Britain, “will be greatly missed by hundreds of Advertising practitioners who he mentored as well as by the Advertising industry and the country at large who he served in various active capacities.”

News Express learnt that a condolence register has been opened for Dr. Nzeribe at the APCON House, National Theatre Annex, Iganmu, Lagos.

•Photo: Late Dr. Nzeribe.