The murder of Okon Iyanam at his Guest House at Mowe, Ogun State took the corporate world in Nigeria by shock. As far a corporate Nigeria is concerned, Iyanam was one colossus in marketing communications. He has in a few years crisscrossed the Nigeria marketing communication marketing landscape, working on almost every brand in the country.
A pioneer senior manager at leading telecommunications operator, Globacom Ltd, Iyanam later rose through the ranks in the company to position he did greater things. Only in Globacom, He was at various times, Chief Operating Officer (New Markets) and also Director, Marketing Communications.
Okon Iyanam was also at Airtel Nigeria, (then Celtel Nigeria) where he worked as the Chief Marketing Officer of the company. In fact, his stay at Celtel was significant as it was while he was there that he met a lady called Muna and instantly knew she was going to be his wife. He married Muna not long after and she had to resign from the company.
Iyanam’s contributions to the telecommunications industry did not end with his positions at Globacom and Vmobile. He was also the Chief Commercial Officer of Mobitel Nigeria Ltd. He helped to turn the company around in a brief period and helped it to bite a chunk of the Nigerian data market.
A brilliant marketer, Iyanam was reputed as one of the best brains in Marketing Communications in Nigeria, working on almost every brand that matters. Those who knew him and those who worked with him tell about how he was never short of ideas. According to them, he looks at a problem and gets an idea instantly.
He inputted his ideas into sundry brands when he was a director of some of Nigeria’s leading advertising companies. He was a Director at DDB Nigeria Ltd. and also a Director at Insight Grey Nigeria Ltd.
Industry watchers will tell you Okon Iyanam was the most sought after marketing communications man in Nigeria. Even until the unfortunate incident, we hear that companies kept requesting for his services. He never sought a position he did not get in any corporate organisation.
He had always dreamt of going into the hospitality business and also farming business. He finally settled down to achieve these dreams as he opened a Hotel in Mowe in Ogun State. He also a established farms around Nigeria, including in Ogun State and the Northern parts of the country. It was at his hotel at Mowe he was murdered two weeks ago.
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