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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) recently rewarded six students across the country that emerged winners at the essay writing competition organized to mark the 25th anniversary of the body.
Six finalists were considered to be the best in the essay contest among thousands of students across the country that entered the competition.
“The essay writing competition was to gauge the perspectives of Nigerian youths on corruption through written work that explores and promote critical thinking skills, a strong culture of reading and the ability to analyze information, while showcasing good writing skills.
It’s the maiden edition, which targeted youths in university and secondary schools. The competition started April 21st, 2021 and lasted due to the rigorous screening process, to determine the winners. Integrity Founder’s Fund (IFF) in collaboration with the Owotuga Foundation sponsored the contest.
Furthermore, the essay writing competition was in divisions and it centred on these topics for the tertiary institution category, “How to reduced corruption in public and private institutions,” while the secondary school category wrote on, “Corruption is outdated: A picture of Nigeria in the future.”
The first position in the university category went to a 25-year-old, 500 level Law students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Desmond Nwaumere, who scored 90% and received cash reward of N600,000, while the second place went to a 19-year-old undergraduate of Rivers State University, Diobu-Port Harcourt, Victor Nwankwo, he scored 68% and a cash gift of N300,000 and the third position went to an undergraduate of Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State, Chidera Anochirionye, 18, who scored 66% and was rewarded with cash gift of N250,000.
In the secondary school category, three winners also emerged and they were 15-year-old SS3 student of Lagos State Secondary School, Binta Daramola, who scored 66% to beat George Onyenakenya, 15, from the same state, who scored 52%, and Sonia Obiezua, 10 years old pupil, who scored 50%. The three pupils were presented with cash prizes of N400, 000,N250, 000 and N150, 000 respectively.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of CBI, Mr. Soji Apampa, presented a paper addressing corruption in the port and how the initiative curbed some excesses meant to exploit and frustrate business sperson operating in the port.
Apampa said CBI wanted to know if the students have information about corruption and if they are aware of the incidence of corruption in the country and how they can process information using writing skills.
He advised Nigerian students to be the change agent that the nation is clamouring and charged them to always stand on the truth and shun all forms of corrupt practice.
Commenting, the acting Chairman Board of Trustees, Owotuga Foundation, Mr. Felix Owotuga, said the cash reward was important to celebrate Nigerian young talents who are capable of transforming the world.
Owotuga stated, “Not only have these young ones excelled but they also can champion the vision of a new and truly thriving country we all will be proud of.”
He further lauded the students for their writing skills and encouraged them not to stop writing.He further advised them to keep the flag flying and not to relent in reading as well as searching for knowledge for a better tomorrow.
The winner of the secondary category, Binta Daramola bagged a scholarship award fully funded by the foundation to honour her father whom she dedicated the award.
