By Bukola Olamona
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Four students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, have emerged winners of the Communication Skills Competition, CSC, organized by the Alumni Association of the institution as part of the activities of the 4th edition of its annual Students Empowerment Programme.

Oluwafemi Ebenezer Okegbemi, a 300-level student of the Department of History and International Studies, emerged overall best; Olawale Oluwatosin Olanrewaju, a 300-level student of the Department of Arts Education, was the 1st runner-up; Seun Emmanuel Kupoluyi, a 100-level student of the Department of Microbiology, came third.

An award of N20,000 prize was given to the only female contestant, Oluwabukunmi Olaleye (100-level, Faculty of Law), who made it to the top 10 and 2nd runner-up in the writing category.

Twenty-nine students from all the faculties of the University participated in both writing and speaking categories of the CSC, tagged, “Can the Prevailing Yahoo Plus and other Internet Frauds in Nigeria Be Curbed? If Yes, What Are the Roles of the Nation’s Higher Institutions, Governments and Parents in Curtailing the Menace?”.

he overall winner got a scholarship of a full academic session, while the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up received scholarships for a semester each.

Presenting cheques to the winners, the President of the Alumni Association, Mr. Patrick Oluyide, congratulated them on the feat, and praised the remaining contestants for being courageous to participate in the competition.

Mr. Oluyide said the essence of the competition was to underscore the fact that there is dignity in labour and to awaken the consciousness of the students on the need to possess standard communication skills.

The President, who anchored a training session of the programme, tagged, “Effective Communication in the Business World”, stressed the need for the students to bridge the gap between the gown and the town.

Mr. Oluyide said, “Most times, what you’re taught in the university are different from what the society would demand from you upon graduation. So, you must maximize the advantage that a programme like this offers you to add the values that the society would want from you when you leave here.”

He thanked the Organizing Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. Oluwaseyi Oluwalade for putting together what he described as a fascinating programme, and expressed the hope that the 6th edition of the programme would be expanded.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Oluwalade had noted that Alumni Association, all over the world, gives to its foundation and promotes the welfare of its members and other stakeholders, including the students, adding that AAUA Alumni Association has not been found wanting in fulfilling such mandate.

He assured the audience of the readiness of the association to continue to give necessary support to the University, including the modern students’ halls of residence which is under construction.

Responding, the overall winner, Okegbemi, thanked the association for the gesture, saying that he never knew he could win, considering the huge number of brilliant students in the University.

Okegbemi, an indigent student, added, “After I finished my write-up, I committed it in God’s hands. I am overwhelmed with joy that the alumni would be footing the bill of my next academic session. My school fee for the present academic session was paid by someone else because my parents could not afford it. So, I am so grateful to the alumni.”

Highlights of the event included presentation of trophy to the overall winner, and medals to the first, second and third positions in both writing and speaking categories of the competition.