By Victor Billy
Miss Ike Destiny, a student of VIK International School, Akere, Alagbado, Ogun State, has won the 18th Bishop Mike Okonkwo National Essay competition. For her efforts, she would get N500,000, a trophy and plaque,while her school would be given computers.
Runner-up, Alexander Chibuzor of Archbishop Heerey Technical College, Ogidi, Anambra State, would get N250,000, and a plaque,while his school would get computers.
Prizes would be presented to winners at this year’s Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in Lagos on September 7. The theme for this year’s lecture is: “Nigerianisation of Nigerians: A look inward”.
In a statement, the Corporate Services Director of the competition,Mrs.Oluwayomi Uteh noted that 795 entries were received.
Chief examiner, Prof. Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo praised the top performers for their passion and independent thinking in their writing.
“We congratulate and present them as exemplars of young people determined to forge their own path through critical use of easy ways,” she said.
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Adimora-Ezeigbo noted that many of the entries were unsuitable for consideration, adding that they were either lifted directly from online sources and presented as original materials or were revised and presented as such.
“We are constrained to present an overall winner and just one runner-up this year, against the normal practice of presenting one winner and two runners-up,” she added.
The competition started in 2004, as part of activities to celebrate the birthday of the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr Mike Okonkwo (MFR), and more importantly to contribute to the development of education.
Okonkwo has continued in this gesture for 18 years, using his God-given talent, strength, and resources to be a blessing to the younger generation by encouraging them to cultivate the habit of reading and writing effectively.
The contest has helped students to develop more interest in research work, reading extensively, and writing effectively. “It has also given the students the opportunity to bare their minds on topical issues significant to the social-economic development of our nation. The essay competition has also contributed to ICT development in secondary schools, especially in government-owned schools. Winners have emerged from both government-owned schools and private schools, and they have always been encouraged with gifts both in-kind and cash,” the statement added.