Undergraduates of University of Calabar recently proved that students shall not live by examinations alone, when they took time off their schedule to participate in the NESCAFE Hot Air Balloon.
Amidst musical and dramatic performances, they, for three days, sipped fun as they were given the opportunity to take a ride in the NESCAFÉ ‘Magic Mug’ hot air balloon.
There was also a competition in comedy and search for the hottest new DJ on campus. In each category, winners went home with prizes that included LCD TV sets, home theatres and Samsung Galaxy smart phones.
A statement from the organizers captured the moods of some of the students who spoke on their experience. One of such is Rejoice Eziedo, who described the programme as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“School can be very dull and boring without gigs like this. In spite of the fact that it was during our examination, the Abraham Odia Stadium was filled up all the three days that the programme lasted. Everyone went home with something and it was so much fun,” the final year student of Administration and Planning, Faculty of Education said.
At the University of Benin, which was the balloon’s next port of call, the programme also lifted the spirit of many students.
According to the statement, it was a battle of talents in the dance, music, deejay and comedy categories. The Benin edition also witnessed the introduction of guest artistes BMG and Dizzy, who thrilled the audience with their ingenious rap style of singing and the acrobatic and athletic display of the awesome ‘Body language’.
It adds that the new Digital Interactive media‘ super photo booth’ was on board in both Calabar and Benin to add to the thrills of the students and consumers alike.
“It was the first time I experienced the use of the photo machine. It’s amazing, fun and the poses you put on just make you smile away your worries, and I honestly wished we had such cool photo booth in our hostels. We love you, NESCAFÉ,” said Ogie Obaseki, a 300 level student in the faculty of engineering.
The photos taken were said to have been given to students on the spot, while they also took their own individual pictures on the NESCAFÉ red carpet.
This helped harness the power of social media during the event by boosting activities on the individual’s Facebook fan page, Twitter handle through fan tagging/commenting on uploaded photos.
The activities, coupled with the NESCAFÉ Magic Mug Flight, got the students agog and thirsty for more.
Additional prizes were also given to loyal consumers who liked the new Facebook fan page of NESCAFÉ on www.facebook.com/nescafeafrica.
The Brand Manager, NESCAFE, Mr. Kayode Oladapo, said the competition had been ‘rocking’ campuses across Central and West Africa for decades, in fulfillment of its character to identify with youths.
“The NESCAFÉ Hot Air Balloon and the battle of Talents provide the opportunity to interact, socialize and enjoy. The experience is to also introduce the brand to young people who we expect to cultivate and sustain a NESCAFÉ drinking culture so as to enjoy all the benefits associated with coffee,” Oladapo notes.
