By Ajibade Morakinyo
Amisu Damilola, a Higher National Diploma (HND) student of the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba has emerged the maiden Idol of the recently concluded Future Brand Idol (FBI), competition in Lagos.
FBI is a creativity contest for students studying communication, advertising, and other related courses in Integrated Marketing Communication, in Nigeria’s higher institutions. The award’s pitch was an initiative that affords students the opportunity and experience of practical advertising.
The panel of judges comprising experts from the industry selected Damilola’s presentation as the best amongst over 80 other entries from 11 tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Also, Popoola Tobi, of the University of Ibadan, emerged first runner-up; while Macaulay Tolulope & Alilu Favour, of the University of Ilorin, came second and third runner-up respectively. Another NIJ student, Owodunni Mosopefoluwa emerged fourth runner-up.
According to the Head of FBI organizers, Ahmed Abdullahi, the initiative was set to bring professionals in the advertising industry closer to Nigerian students toward providing a viable platform for those who are interested in Advertising and Public Relations to be exposed and well-bred while on campus.
“The initiative does not only have a focus in creativity contest, but it also aimed at facilitating interactive session between students and experts, as well as 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 on the criteria for selecting the winners, Abdullahi revealed that the organizers avoided favouritism by selecting experienced jury members like Mr. Lanre Adisa, CEO of Noah’s Ark; O2 Academy Provost, Mr. Ozoemena ‘Ozone’ Mbanefo; ID8 Academy MD, Kehinde Salami; Seyi Owolawi; Bisi Aweda; Jumoke Akinyele; and Suzette Ukey-Agazie, who are independent of any institution that participated in the competition.
He, therefore, urged the winners to maximize the opportunities made available to them and that this would help the organisers record success stories.
Also, the Founder of Noah’s Ark and a Grand Jury member, Mr. Lanre Adisa described the initiative as ‘a good one’ and 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 added.
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 a scholarship from ID8 Academy, and the fourth runner-up secured an internship slot at Withoutabox PR.
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