Jumah Ziyadat, Sodiq Olalekan,
Ibadan.
Association of Students' Communicators, The Polytechnic, Ibadan has once again set the records by holding her first inter-level oratorical contest and symposium at the Assembly Hall in the school which took off on the 30th March, 2022 by 10:30am.
The theme of the occasion tagged "Accommodating the new media into ethical journalistic practice; the lacuna, necessities, and effect". The event saw the attendance of great personalities in the media space such as The Head of Mass Communication Department, Alhaji Najimdeen Adunola, the Pulic Relations Officer of the institution, Alhaji Barrister Adewale Soladoye, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Oyo, Mr Demola Babalola, Sub-dean of Arts in the University of Ibadan Dr.Bisi Olawuyi, former Sub-dean University of Ibadan Dr.Olusegun Oke amongst other notable personalities.
The HOD, Alhaji Najimdeen Adunola gave the chairpersons speech where he recognized the guests, judges and everyone in attendance. He also educated the audience on what oratory/oratorical speech is by pointing out some past orators like Martin Luther King.
The ASCOM president was called on stage which he acknowledged and welcomed everyone present at the event saying the program is the very first of its kind in the mass communication department. He enlightened the students on the topic and appreciated all the atttendees.
Dr. Bisi Olawuyi was called to address the nine contestants on what they would look out for like: the contents of their message (40 marks), non verbal expression (20 marks), dressing (10 mks), time management (15 marks), overall effectiveness (15 marks), with each contestants having five minutes each to speak and thirty seconds of grace to round off their thoughts.
The nine contestants which included Omotayo Abigail, Adetunji Joshua, Hamzat Ameenat, Akinwale Peter, Oladokun Fatimah, Adetunji Olusoji, Eyeowa Victor, Busari Usman, Ohumuo Frank and Garuba Rasheedat discussed extensively on the theme of the event.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Oyo, Mr. Demola Babalola commended the president of the association for choosing the theme of discussion as it is "apt and lively".
While speaking on the topic 'the New Media: A missed opportunity for National Integration in Nigeria, the southwest Bureau Chief, the Nations newspaper, Dr. Bisi Oladele stated that Nigerian journalists should leverage social responsibility and framing theories to achieve success in digital media platforms.
Dr. Oladele also emphasized that the new media could be used to promote understanding, mobilize the citizenry towards developing and sustaining patriotism and promote national integration.
The ten contestants were called back on stage for an impromptu speech in which they were given 60 seconds each and additional 30 seconds to speak on any topic chosen to determine how fluent and eloquent they are.
After the sessions, the Chief Judge, Dr Bisi Olawuyi commended all the contestants and gave them the eight major principles of public speaking before announcing the winner , Oladokun Fatimah with a total of 84 points. The 1st runner up was Akinwale Peter with 82.5 points and Omotayo Abigail was the 2nd runner up with 79 points.
The 1st position, Fatimah got a cash prize of #15,000, The 1st runner up, Peter got #10,000, and the 2nd runner up, Abigail got #5,000. The other participants also received certificates of participation from the association. Mr Kunle Remi shared #50,000 among the winners, in which the sum of #20,000 was given to the winner, #15,000 to the first runner up, as well as the second runner up who also got #15,000. He donated an additional amount of #50,000 to the department, as well his friend whose name was kept anonymous also donated #50,000 to the department.
As an award of excellence, the Head of the Mass Communication Department, Alhaji Najimdeen Adunola also donated the sum of #50,000 to the contestants. Dr. Bisi also stated that a public speaking club would be established in the school for free.
In the closing speech, the ASCOM president, Comrade Ayanboade Kehinde appreciated the guests, lecturers, contestants, and fellow great minds for gracing the occasion.
