200-LEVEL STUDENT, TOBI POPOOLA EMERGES FIRST RUNNER-UP IN NATIONAL ADVERT COMPETITION

A 200-level student of the University of Ibadan, Tobi Popoola, was pronounced first runner-up of a recently concluded inter-university advertising contest, the Future Brand Idol (FBI).

The contest, organised by Ahmed Abdulahi and his team, received 96 entries from 32 notable universities in Nigeria for the preliminary stage which produced five finalists from the University of Ibadan, the University of Ilorin, and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

The Grand Juror, Chief Creative Officer Noah's Ark Communications, Lekan Adisa, in his speech, enlightened the attendees on the need to be competitive. Also, Mr Ozoemena Mbanefo, the Provost of O2 Academy emphasized on the dire need of creativity in our world.

Tobi Popoola was adjudged first runner-up based on his idea, 'Esqueezit: Dare to be bold', a comprehensive advert strategy on how to promote the Esqueezit Juice brand in the Nigerian market.

As a result, he was awarded a #300,000 scholarship to study Brand Communications at the 02 Academy. Also, he has a #150,000 worth professional training at ID8 Concepts, a marketing communication firm.

Other winners are Amisu Damilola from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism who emerged the first prize winner and Tolulope Macaulay from the University of Ilorin, the second runner-up.

Notable figures at the event include Kenny Salami, son of the late Chief Lekan Salami, Seyi Owolabi, Associate Creative Director, DDB Nigeria, Fokanferanmi Okojie of ID8 Concepts, and Jumoke Akinyele, Noah's Ark Communications.

Tobi Popoola is of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. Reacting to the award, Dr Olayinka Egbokhare, a Marketing Communication lecturer in the Department, stated that the award showed the high quality of the students in the Department as well as the high quality of instruction. Corroborating this, Professor Ayo Ojebode, Head, Department of Communication and Language Arts opined that with greater and formalized collaboration with the industry, many more awards like this would be won.