•Ilona Idoko Kingsley Photo: Sun News Publishing

More Stories on This Section

He launched himself a couple of years into the business circles particularly, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, taking on the challenging aspect of commercial sector with the introduction of the electronic indoor and outdoor bill board advertisement. But within the period of between two years or more, he is already telling his success stories.

The name Ilona Idoko Kingsley, may not ring a bell in the business community in the Nigeria, even in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory where he is based, but it is indeed the name behind the solutions provided to most of the business establishments, government and agencies among others within and outside the country.

He is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of LONA Global Resources Limited, the fast growing electronic, indoor and mobile advertising enterprise based in Abuja. He spoke on his desire to change the face of indoor and outdoor advertisement in the country in an interview with Daily Sun in his office in Abuja.

Background and inspiration
Though, inspired to read Geology and Mining in the University of Jos because of his interest in extractive industry, the Kogi State born businessman said he discarded his first love for mining when he visited the United States of America and saw the high level technology in advertisement as he traversed the streets in that country.

As a fresher in the business of advertising with high inspiration, Idoko said that his business foundation is build on trust in his customers and how best he can serve them, not how much to make even though he is in business to make gain.

Challenges
According to him, he developed more interest and concern in developing similar concept of outdoor, indoor and mobile advertisement in Nigeria so that Nigerian businessmen could conveniently advertise their products to their consumers in style.
He disclosed it was tough trying to get started, considering the fact that he had no idea of advertising business, so he had to undergo series of researches from several countries including the US, went into partnership with existing advertising companies on how we can also start an advertising company of high standard in the country.

“We were able to identify 10 locations within Abuja, we proceeded and made payments for those locations and decided that out of this locations we chose those that are more strategic, then the one by Gana Street junction opposite Transcorp Hilton Hotel, so that was where we started before moving to other locations like the one at Asokoro junction.
“My thinking about advertising is that it is to bring the World’s best to Nigeria. And today, Nigeria is the third country in the world where you have scrolling light board advertising.”

Me and my customers
We are on our toes and we intend to give our best. The dream is to have at least, one LED electronic bill board in every state of the federation.
So far, we have erected four electronic bill boards in Abuja, one in Lagos, and we plan to install 10 light boxes and 10 scrolling light boxes in some strategic places around Abuja, Lagos and other major cities across the country.

He said his business inspiration is to put in the best and hit the zenith stating that he do not sleep to ensure the best is given to the customers he said are his kings.
But his worries are that, in the innovated electronic advertising, he is yet to get competitors which he described is not the best for him since he is yet to confront challenges.
“We do not have competitors yet, we are encouraging people to come out and challenge us because without competition, you don’t get on your toes, though it does not stop us from introducing new ideas to satisfy our customers.”