…as winners emerge in the secondary schools quiz competition
Worried by the noticeable decline in reading habits among Nigerian youths, a foremost philanthropist, Dr. Gabriel Mabatah, has said he will not rest on his laurels to change the narrative in the country.
Dr. Mabatah, a practising pharmacist and medical doctor, believed that the poor reading culture poses a threat to the future leadership of the country.
The philanthropist from Emuhu in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, whose efforts span youths empowerment, medical outreach, educational support, and community development, believes that the measure of a meaningful life lies in the number of lives uplifted.
Mabatah emphasised education, mentorship, and skills acquisition as solutions to youth unemployment and social restiveness.
He encouraged intentional parenting and called for stronger institutions and improved security.
Over the weekend, all roads led to Ika National Hall, Agbor, where the grand finale of the quiz competition among government secondary schools in Ika North East and Ika South Constituency took place.
The competition, organised under the auspices of the Gabriel Mbadiwe Mabatah Movement (GMM) and Mabatah Grace Francesca (MGF) under the supervision of the Delta State Ministry of Education, saw 43 secondary schools participating.
Six secondary schools, including Owa Model Secondary School, Boji-Boji Owa, Owanta Secondary School, and Ute-Okpu Grammar, made it to the final six.
After the intense competition graced by many monarchs, education stakeholders, teachers, captains of industry, students, among others, Owa Model Secondary School, Boji-Boji Owa, emerged the quiz champion and went home with N500,000 cash prize.
The first runner-up went to Ogbemudein Mixed Secondary School, which got N300,000, and the second runner-up, Igumbo-Otiku Secondary School, which went home with N200,000 prize money. The other three contenders got N100,000 each as consolation.
Speaking after the competition, the Coordinator, GMM, Chief Isaac Iyadi, said the quiz was inspired by societal challenges, emphasising the need for youth development.
He said the initiator of the event, Dr. Gabriel Mabata, believed that the nation’s progress hinges on the intellectual and educational growth of its youth.
He identified reading as a critical skill for future leaders.
Iyadi said, “There’s a noticeable decline in reading habits among Nigerian youth, which poses a threat to future leadership.
“Developing the mindset of young people through educational initiatives is considered vital for societal advancement. The competition serves as a motivational tool to encourage children to engage more with reading.”
The coordinator said participants in the competition benefited significantly from their preparation, leading to enduring knowledge acquisition.
Iyadi said apart from the quiz competition, Dr. Mabatah had implemented numerous educational projects, including distribution of textbooks to schools in Ika Federal Constituency, construction of modern toilet facilities in schools, employment and salary payment for teachers over three years, as well as establishment of water boreholes for schools.”
He said the intention of the organisers is to make the competition an annual event for all public secondary schools, noting that the competition also aims to increase students’ familiarity with their local environment and issues, addressing gaps in knowledge about their surroundings.
He contended that during the quiz, the participating students demonstrated insufficient knowledge about local governance and community matters, despite being informed about international topics.
“Despite fluency in English, there is a struggle with local languages and cultural context,” he noted
Also, the Vice Principal of the winning school, Mrs Inyang Nsime, expressed a strong belief in the capabilities of their students, citing the importance of preparation extending beyond just the competition day.
Nsime asserted, “I said from the beginning that we were coming to dominate. We came with full confidence that we were going to dominate because when you are preparing for exams, it is not just that day. What our students exhibited is who they are and what has been inculcated into them.
“My advice for students generally is that they should listen to their teachers, do extra work and study very well, and put what they have been taught into practice. They should avoid any form of distraction.”
The overall winner, Miss Ifem Miracle Nmeri, of Owa Model Secondary School, Boji-Boji Owa, stated: “I feel over the moon winning this competition. The preparation was a bit hectic with sleepless nights and all that. I thank the organizers for this wonderful competition and the scholarship they have been giving to some people. The success today will serve as a great motivation for me moving forward.”
In his remarks, a Lagos-based chartered accountant, Chief Fred Ojei, said that by the competition, organisers are trying to catch “our young ones very young. It captured everything to enable the students to have an all-round knowledge.”
He commended the initiator of this activity, Dr. Gabriel Mabata, a double professional —pharmacist and medical doctor, saying it is a testament to compassion, purpose, and service.
He urged the students to cultivate good values in society to impact society.
He urged the education officials that whenever this type of event is taking place, they should send other students in solidarity to cheer up their representatives.
