Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29) Such was the case of two undergraduate students of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Miss Sahedat Akanbi and Mr Obafemi Adeola were top of their class in their 300 Level days in the 2012/2013 academic session with 5.6 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

It was, however, time to honour them publicly with the Department’s certificate at the Association of Communications and Language Arts Students’ (ACLAS) annual personality lecture and award ceremony on Thursday, October 23 at the Faculty’s Large Lecture Theatre Hall, but they got more than they bargained for.

Earlier, ACLAS had awarded four distinguished Nigerians for their positive contributions to the development of the media industry in Nigeria.

They were Mr Edward Dickson, Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC (ANN Plc), publishers of the Tribune’s titles; Mr Olusola Omole, Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Mr Chris Ubosi, Managing Director (MD), Megalectrics and Mr Lekan Ishola, MD, PR Redline, Lagos.

Obviously overwhelmed by the students’ performance, in this era when students are more fascinated by music and online activities than their studies, Ishola an alumnus of the department, offered to allow the two students serve in his office if posted to Lagos and become his staff.

If not, he said they would be recruited by his company after their service year as Management Trainee staff. He also urged them to register with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) so as to be adopted into the PR family.

He requested for their bank details with the promise to deposit N50, 000 into each of their accounts.

On what informed his kind gesture to the students, Ishola said it is both corporate and personal.

“On the corporate level, we are looking at a market where it is very difficult to get good talents to work and if you don’t get good talents, you can’t deliver excellent output for the society. It is in our interest as corporate players to encourage good talents to aspire for more excellence or better still, to help the media industry to attract good talents.”

He added that on a personal level he is always happy to contribute his quota to the development of the department he loves dearly even as he urged the students to prioritise the reason they are in school and face their studies.

Miss Akanbi, the third of four children from Osogbo, Osun State said she felt great and the award has reinforced her belief that nothing is impossible.

Akanbi said she often pondered on what next after UI and that she tried to win the award in 100 level, but that she couldn’t get it and in 200 level she got it but had a tie with Obafemi as it happened in their 300 level again.

Mr Obafemi, who felt so happy and excited about winning the award urged his colleagues not to relent in their efforts, to be diligent and hardworking in all they do, not to join bad group and allow nothing to deter them from achieving their goals.

Miss Deborah Olayide Olumide got the 100 level award with 6.4 CGPA while Miss Omeghie Okoyomo Oluwadamilola got the 200 level award with 6.0 CGPA

The Head of Department, Dr Ayo Ojebode said the students’ award was initiated three years ago to encourage them to have a proof for their efforts.

http://whatsupibadan.com/2014/10/30/2-ui-undergraduates-get-automatic-employment/

we keep hearing no vancy yet some get automatic job.nawaoh for this world oh.congrats shaaa

Congrats!

Congrats In case sha

CGPA of 5.6 Excuse me please......

timilehing:
CGPA of 5.6 Excuse me please......

that's 5.6/7.0
UI uses 7.0 scale

Kudos to dm..,Rewarding hardwork is always encouraging to others..,Una welldone!

singlefade25:
Congrats In case sha

incase what?

aooyelami:

that's 5.6/7.0
UI uses 7.0 scale

people dey get 4.9/5.0 naa


Congrats to them anyway

If level toppers are considered for employment, what will they give the overall best students? Position of VC perhaps.

Lero15:
incase what?

you know now.