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2019 Future Brand Idol Emerges From NIJ

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By: Ajibade Morakinyo

The maiden Idol of Future Brand Idol (FBI), a creativity contest for students studying communication, advertising, and other related courses in Integrated Marketing Communication, has emerged from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).

She is in the person of Amisu Damilola, a Higher National Diploma (HND) student whose presentation was chosen by the panel of judges as the best amidst over 80 other entries from 11 tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Winner, 2019 Future Brand Idol, Amisu Damilola, flaunting her plaque

Damilola, thus became the first Future Brand Idol, given that it was the maiden edition of the advertising contest.

However, Popoola Tobi, student of University of Ibadan, came first runner-up; students of University of Ilorin, Macaulay Tolulope & Alilu Favour, came second and third runner-up respectively; and another NIJ student, Owodunni Mosopefoluwa emerged fourth runner-up.

The award’s pitch and ceremony which recently held in Lagos is an initiative that affords students of mass communication and other marketing communication related courses across Nigeria opportunity and experience of practical advertising.

According to the Head of FBI organizers, Ahmed Abdullahi, the initiative is set to bring professionals in the advertising industry closer to students towards providing a viable platform for Nigerian students who are interested in Advertising and Public Relations to be exposed and well-bred while on campus.

L-R: Head, FBI Organisers, Ahmed Abdullahi; winner, 2019 Future Brand Idol, Amisu Damilola; & CEO, Noah’s Ark, Mr. Lanre Adisa

“The initiative does not only have focus in creativity contest, it also aimed at facilitating students’ interactive session with experts, workshop and seminar for students, providing mentorship opportunity for students, and getting them quality information in their field of study.

“By doing so, we will attract scholarships, internship, mentorship opportunity, and open them to greater opportunities which will help nurture them and make them useful for the society and the industry they found themselves,” he said.

Speaking about how the winners were chosen, he made it known that the organizers are not in support of favoritism which made them have an experienced jury members like Noah’s Ark CEO, Mr. Lanre Adisa; O2 Academy Provost, Mr. Ozoemena ‘Ozone’ Mbanefo; ID8 Academy MD, Kehinde Salami; Seyi Owolawi; Bisi Aweda; Jumoke Akinyele; and Suziette Ukey-Agazie, which are independent of any institution that participated in the competition.

He thereby urged the winners to maximize the opportunities made available to them and that this will help the organisers to record success stories.

L-R: Second runner-up, Macaulay Tolulope; first runner-up, Popoola Tobi; & winner, Amisu Damilola, during the grand finale of the competition

Also, the Founder of Noah’s Ark and a Grand Jury member of the competition, Mr. Lanre Adisa, who described the initiative as ‘a good one’ encouraged the winners to ‘try harder’ because this is just the beginning of their career in advertising.

“This is not a guarantee that the winners would get a job in advertising because it is what they do with themselves that will definitely make them relevant in the industry,” he said.

Winner, 2019 Future Brand Idol, Amisu Damilola, & CEO, Noah’s Ark, Mr. Lanre Adisa

The overall winner, Amisu Damilola, disclosed that the competition has definitely encouraged her to pursue more in advertising – an industry she had loved since her year two in NIJ.

“The competition boosted my zeal for advertising to another level and with the scholarships it has afforded me, I will ensure I harness the opportunities towards building my potential in advertising,” she said.

The overall winner and the first runner-up were awarded scholarship from O2 and ID8 Academy; the second and third runner-up also got scholarship from ID8 Academy; and the fourth runner-up secured an internship slot at Withoutabox PR.

Cross session of NIJ Students and lecturer, Mr. Jack Amaso with the winner, 2019 Future Brand Idol, Amisu Damilola

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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