A school in Ogun shines in essay competition winning N250,000 prize
A school in Ogun shines in essay competition winning N250,000 prize.
The African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta, secured first place with a prize of N250,000 and a full HP desktop computer in the grand finale of an essay and debate competition held for schools across Ogun State on Saturday.
The grand finale of the competition, organised by the Adebiyi Habib Foundation, a non-profit organisation in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to a press statement released by the NGO on Sunday, the event was attended by the Commissioner of Education, Science & Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, and a Permanent Secretary of Ogun State, Mrs Oloko Oluwatosin. Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu Ode, emerged as the first runner-up, winning N150,000 and an HP coloured printer, while Abeokuta Girls Grammar School took second runner-up with a prize of N120,000 and an HP coloured printer.
The statement noted that the competition received 100 entries, with over 45 schools qualifying for the second stage, and eight schools making it to the grand finale.
A school in Ogun shines in essay competition winning N250,000 prize.
Speaking at the event, the commissioner praised the NGO for organising the competition and stressed the need for more such initiatives, stating that they would help advance education in Ogun State.
A guest speaker, Oluwafemi Ogunsanya from the Ogun Tech Summit, spoke on the theme of the event, “The Role of Technology in Education.”
He encouraged students to “embrace the use of information technology to enhance their education and improve society.”
The statement also highlighted that the founder of the NGO, Barrister Adebiyi Habib, stressed the importance of reducing the high rate of out-of-school children.
He remarked, “The project was born out of a desire to mentor the younger generation and impart the knowledge of self-empowerment.”
Habib pledged to continue similar programmes focusing on education and technology across Ogun State and Nigeria.
In addition, the Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Akinsowon Lateef, noted that the foundation aims to create an enabling environment for young people to thrive, especially in less-developed communities.
Over a thousand exercise books were distributed to all attendees, and certificates of participation were given to all finalists.
“We hope that in the next five years, some of the beneficiaries of this programme will be proud ambassadors of their respective communities and Nigeria at large,” Lateef said.
He added that the project offers a positive path for those willing to make something of themselves, empowering individuals previously excluded from the social order to lead and contribute, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.
