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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Ayotomiwa Elesho, a 200-level Political Science undergraduate of the University of Ibadan has won the one million naira star prize for the 6th Edition of the Annual National undergraduate Essay competition of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The 23-year-old indigene of Odogbolu in Ogun State defeated other students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Twenty-three-year-old Victor Sunday from Ebonyi State, a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka emerged second with a seven hundred thousand naira prize while Bayelsa-born Doutimibraladei Timothy Frank, a 100- level student in the department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Otuoke emerged third, with five hundred thousand naira.
Others who went home with consolation prizes include Jonah Bonaventure Alidor from Ebonyi State, fourth position Abdullah Yaqub from Oyo State fifth position, Oluwafela Bibire, sixth position. Also, Osahuemwenmwen Ofumwengbe-Evba, Abosede Iyiola, Princess Tari Tarawou and Femi Oyedele also went home with consolation prizes.
The Executive Secretary Engr Simbi Wabote in his address at the prize presentation in Yenagoa noted that it is heart-warming that NCDMB has sustained the sponsorship of this important event for six years which he said speaks volumes about the importance of the competition and the impact it is making among the target participants.
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Wabote, represented by the Head, Corporate Communication, Mr Esueme Dan-Kikile, stated that NCDMB will continue to introduce programmes that will engage Nigerian youths, especially undergraduates.
According to him the topic: “Strategising for Transformation to Clean Energy Landscape: The NCDMB Intervention,” was expected to stimulate the young ones to deploy their creativity in capturing the strategies that should be considered in transiting into cleaner energy as well as appraise the Board’s interventions in this light.
“The annual national undergraduates’ essay competition is one of NCDMB’s multiple interventions to lift the standard of education in Nigeria. It aims to promote proficiency in writing, awareness of local content and its benefit to the national economy, and to engender citizen engagement from the undergraduate level.
“As we may be aware, in March 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari declared the years 2021 to 2030 as Nigeria’s Decade of Gas and announced the Federal Government’s determination to fully exploit the nation’s abundant gas resources to accelerate the economic development of Nigeria. This declaration aligns fully with the rising global demand for cleaner energy sources,” he said.
The Chairman of the occasion Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff commended NDCMB for the impact it has made to enhance local participation in the oil and gas industry in an appreciable manner.
Mr Eyinimi Omorozi, Chief Executive Officer of Mahogany 21st Century Concepts Limited, consultants to the NCDMB, described the competition as one of the biggest flagship events of NCDMB, adding that the board has been supporting the competition because they have seen the success.
“In the next five years, we want to see the competition grow where it will be recognised all over the world so that Nigerians outside will participate in the programme,” he said.
