Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), an umbrella sociocultural organisation of all indigenes of Ilorin Emirate home and abroad, has called on relevant authorities, particularly Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWASAA), to ensure swift removal of an offensive alcohol billboard erected along Offa Garage Road, Ilorin.
The Union, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Nurudeen Ibrahim, and made available to newsmen in Ilorin, today, described the message contained in the advertisement of Trophy beer, which makes reference to Ilorin and its people, as clearly offensive, saying that the advertisement was deliberately planted to provoke the people of Ilorin Emirate.
The Union added that the advertisement is a liberty taken too far and that it should be swiftly removed in order to discourage resort to self-help from the concerned members of the community.
While insisting that advertisement of products that are at variance to the culture of a given community should always be discouraged in such a place, the statement said that the message on the billboard attaching alcohol to the people of Ilorin, who are predominantly Muslims, is a deliberate provocation to say the least.
The statement,therefore, appealed to the relevant government agencies to remove the advertisement and warned advertising agencies to be meticulous in their services as it appealed to the people of Ilorin Emirate to remain calm and peaceful while necessary actions are being taken.
