Osun NIPR Holds Maiden Osun PR Challenge

…As Redeemers University Emerges Winner

The Osun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has held the maiden edition of its pitching competition tagged “Osun PR CHALLENGE” for Universities offering Mass Communication in the state.

The PR Challenge, held on Saturday, 13th May, 2023, at the Opolo Global Innovations Hub, Osun State University Main campus, Osogbo, featured Redeemers University, Fountain University and Westland University.

Scoring 72.7%, Redeemers University trumped Fountain University and Westland University in the battle for Supremacy of the best Public Relations team in Universities located in Osun State. Fountain University, Osogbo, came second place, scoring 62.6%, while Westland University came third with 45.3%.

The Osun PR Challenge is the first-of-its-kind in Osun State, and was organized by the State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), to expose the prospective Public Relations Practitioners to the practical experience of what it entails to practice the profession and bridge the gap between the theoretical and practical aspects of Public Relations.

The panelists, comprising the Executive Director of Brooks and Blake, Mr. Taiwo Ogunwumi; The Immediate former Managing Director of Eco Bank, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan; The Group CEO of Verdant Zeal, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi; The founder and Chairperson of Women in Public Relations, Mrs. Tolulope Olorundero and the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business of Unilever, Mr. Godfrey Adejumoh, after rigorous screening declared Redeemers University as the winner of the challenge after scoring 72.7%.

Mr Taiwo Ogunwumi while speaking on behalf of the rest of the panelists stated that the students were examined using five basic criteria namely: Presentation skill, knowledge of the subject matter, Development of points/organisation, Appearance/carriage, and communication/use of language.

Redeemers University won the challenge with the presentation of two communication plans, the first was titled “Crisis Management: Peak Milk Easter Flyer”, and the second “In-harmony Challenge of Smoov Chapman”.

The Vice President of NIPR, DCG Adewale Adeniyi, in his address lauded the idea behind the challenge and saluted the student’s courage for warming up to the task, and their lecturers for guiding them through their communication plans. He went on to advise them to leverage and harness their skills as a team when they become certified practitioners, to achieve collective goals in the industry, noting that the PR challenge would serve as an eye-opener for the participants and give them an idea of what to expect in the real world of PR practice.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Osun NIPR, Mr. Ademola Adesoji, revealed that the state chapter would make it a tradition to hold the PR challenge yearly, stating that the competition not only exposes participants to PR practice, but also firms to prospects and build the next generation of PR stalwarts and gurus.