The University of Benin Student Union Government has bestowed the 2016 Excellence Awards in Youth Development and Entrepreneurship on the Operations/Business Development Manager of Oracle Experience, Mr. George Paul Osondu, for his legendary role in grooming youths and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills.

Prior to this latest honour, Mr. Osondu had in 2014 been awarded the Nigerian Oscar Award from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, as an event manager of the decade and University of Ibadan Queen Elizabeth II Hall Award this year.

Accompanied by other executive members of the SUG, the President of the University of Benin’s SUG, Miss Lauretta Oyemwenosa Obakpolo, noted that Osondu exhibited the highest level of entrepreneurship by training the students and guiding them on path to self sustenance.

She said: “We were very impressed because no one had come to our campus in the past to really demonstrate such level of interest in students’ welfare and wellbeing after school.”

Obakpolo further said that the Oracle Agency man was still being expected back in the school. “He left remarkable memory amongst the students hence they keep asking when he will come back.”

Speaking on Osondu’s contribution in the area of youth development and entrepreneurship, the Public Relations Officer of the Union, Ikotu Gideon Kelechi, said the entire students of the University of Benin is proud to bestow this honour on Mr. Osondu for his achievements during NESCAFE Hot Air Balloon activation in the campus.

“Several others have visited us but they never left any positive impression on the students. Indeed, we are very excited and proud to identify with him,” he said.

Responding to the honour done on him by the students, the operations/business development manager said: “I never knew I was being noticed for what I do. I was only doing my job and in the course of it, I felt the need to mentor these young ones.”

“I’m happy not only because I am recognised by them but also the singular act of travelling from Benin to Lagos to present this award gladdens my heart more.”

While advising the students’ representative to look beyond paid employment, he urged them to banish fear if at all they want to succeed in their own businesses because fear has become the biggest obstacle to any prospective or budding entrepreneur.

Osondu had spent 16 years managing top brands experientially. Currently managing multinationals portfolios at the Oracle Experience, a leading creative and design shop, Osondu has had his professional life with EXP and Chris Parkes Marketing Services in his 16 years of managing brands experientially

•Photo shows, From Left; John Chukwujem Aigbogun, Attorney General, Student Union Government, UNIBEN; Mr. George Paul Osondu, Operations/Business Development Manager, Oracle Experience Ltd; Miss Lauretta Oyemwenosa Obakpolo, President SUG, UNIBEN, University of Benin and Jatto John Ovie, Secretary General, SUG UNIBEN. At the official Presentation of Award of Recognition to Paul Osondu in Lagos.

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