MUNIRAT ADENEKAN
The Public Relations Officer of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr Idris Katib, has bagged the ‘Best Public Relations Practitioner of the Year’ Award.
He received the award at the event marking the 30th Anniversary of Prestige Newspaper, tagged, “Celebration of Outstanding Achievers” in different fields of endeavours.
Katib is currently a Senior Assistant Registrar (Public Relations) at Crescent University.
According to the Publisher of Prestige Newspaper, Elder Dada Olanipekun, “Prestige Newspaper Meritorious Award of Excellence is given to Mr Katib Idris Kolawole” in recognition of his immeasurable achievements as the Best PR Practitioner of the Year”.
Meanwhile, the Crescent University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila and the university community have showered encomiums on award recipient, Katib.
In a Whatsapp message, the VC wrote, “Congratulations on today’s conferment. On behalf of the Proprietor, Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students of Crescent University Abeokuta, we salute this singular achievement and recognition.
“We acknowledge your hardwork and competence. Those outsides equally concluded you deserve this award. May Allah continue to guide all your endeavours.”
Katib is a multiple certified marketing communications expert with over 20 years of hands-on professional landmark in corporate communications, advertising, marketing, branding and reputation management.
He is a chartered member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria(APCON), Institute of Corporate Administration(ICAD), Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and Fellow, Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development (CeProd).
Idris is a product of Ogun State Polytechnic and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, where he bagged his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in 1997 and 2000, respectively.
After about 12 years of professional practice, he also clinched his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (with a PhD grade) from the prestigious Department of Mass Communication, Crescent University, Abeokuta in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
As a PR/media manager in Outdoor, relationship manager in Healthcare & reputation manager in Education sector at various times, Katib has paid his dues excellently and made his professional imprints on the walls of these sectors.
Over the years, he has employed his communication acumen to turn brand challenges into opportunities. Result-driven in project management and media convergence, he has added much value to his professionalism.
He is a tireless writer and wordsmith with over 100 professional online articles and two academic publications in learned journals cutting across communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising, Branding, Publishing, speechwriting, book review, award-winning, healthcare, music and allied areas.
As the media aide and PR manager to His Excellency, Judge Bola Ajibola, the former judge of the International Court of Justice representing Nigeria, Katib has successfully managed the reputation of the legal icon and his prestigious Crescent University, Abeokuta, Nigeria, in the estimation of the media publics and stakeholders for over 10 years. He has also taken charge of social media handles and packaged PR programmes/copies/audio-visuals/brochures/press releases/media interviews/reportorial & effectively managed events of the institutions.
A thoroughbred professional, he writes and packages news reports, speeches, poems, citations, newsletters, news releases, magazines, brochures and other publications skilfully to highlight and project the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila and his laudable achievements such as 100% NUC accreditation and many more.
In the last four years, he has mentored undergraduates of Communication Studies, lecturing Graphic Communication, Copywriting, Reporting Religion, and Digital Public Relations and Advertising.
He is also actively engaged in social listening to facilitate feedbacks from stakeholders.
As a bookworm, Katib is either immersed in writing or thinking about what next to write to promote and market brands.
Katib is currently a Senior Assistant Registrar (Public Relations) of the university.