UNILAG wins gold at Future Creative Leaders Academy

A 400-level student of the Department of Mass Communication of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Funke Ademola-Aliu has won the gold prize at the 2019 Future Creative Leaders Academy (FCLA).

Funke’s creative work was adjudged the best among several entries by students from other universities across West and Central Africa including University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Ibadan; Fountain University; University of Ilorin; Redeemers University and Lead City University.

The FCLA is open to full-time students of tertiary institutions and it serves as an early immersion programme into the competitive world of advertising for the students.

The programme is designed to give students the opportunity to work on advertising briefs individually and in teams, while also testing their general understanding of advertising.

As a gold winner, Funke is expected to attend the Rogal Hatchuel Academy in Cannes, France in June.

This will be the 8th time, since the inception of the award in 2008 that the Department of Mass Communication will produce gold prize-winners of the FCLA. Opeyemi Adeniran, Emmanuel Eferebo, Jesudemilade Oreseanya, Eniola Johnson, Simileoluwa Fayombo, Chiamaka Obunadike, Damilola Fawowe, Akinlosose and Oluwamayowa Adeyemi were gold medalists in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 respectively. They have also benefited from the all expense-paid trips to Cannes, France, to participate in the Roger Hatchuel Academy, courtesy of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

Some of the FCLA gold medalists have also enjoyed the opportunity to train in California under a new Google global education programme in partnership with Cannes Lion called Google Campus.

Also, over the years, students of the department have participated in the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) Future Leaders of Marketing Award competition. The competition seeks to groom potential leaders of marketing from the nation’s tertiary institutions and connect them with leaders and professionals in the marketing industries.
Since the award began in 2008, students of the department have won the first and second runner up awards at various times.

The Head of Department, Professor Abiagail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, under whose leadership and guidance the students were prepared over the years to enter for this and other competitions, expressed delight over the feat. She stated that the award to Funke and others before her, fully demonstrates how students of the Department have benefitted greatly from the hands-on training at the department where emphasis is placed on striking interests along the learning curve.

Prof. Ogwezzy-Ndisika assured that under her headship of the department, students would continue to be encouraged not only to excel in their academic pursuit, but, also pursue passion; and develop all-round skills in their areas of specialisation and competence.