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By Gabriel Dike
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Foundation has awarded over N21.2 million in cash prizes to various winners at the 14th edition of the National Essay Competition (NEC) for senior secondary school students nationwide.
At the award ceremony held at UBA headquarters in Lagos, which attracted 20 finalists from different secondary schools, the students were presented with cheques, laptops, certificates, gifts, and trophies.
The Foundation said the 2024 edition of the competition was aligned with the 75th-anniversary celebration of UBA. Accordingly, 75 students from the four regions received N75,000 each.
Sixteen-year-old Tehilah Oluchukwu Isimah of Everest Heights International Academy, Gwagwalada, Abuja, emerged as the winner of the 2024 essay competition. She received the coveted prize of a N7.5 million educational grant to support her university education in any African university of her choice.
While receiving her cheque, trophy, laptop, certificate, and plaque, Isimah, an SS3 student, and her mother couldn’t contain their joy when the UBA Foundation announced her as the winner.
Isimah said: “I am so happy. I prayed and worked so hard for this. Even though I am a science student, I have always loved writing. I am very glad this dream of mine came true. UBA Foundation, this is answered prayers for me. I will forever be grateful.”
Fifteen-year-old SS3 student Obinna-Chukwu Chikamara Christabel of Regina Pacis College, Abuja, placed second and received a N5 million scholarship grant for her university education, along with a certificate and a laptop.
Essien Greatness Emediong of the Nigerian Christian Institute, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, clinched the third position and received a N3.5 million university grant, a certificate, and a laptop.
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UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, congratulated the winners and emphasised the bank’s goal to promote education across the African continent, inspiring and empowering young people for the future through the UBA Foundation.
His words: “At the UBA Foundation, education has always been our cornerstone. We believe that knowledge is the most powerful catalyst for transformative change. By investing in education, we are not just teaching – we are empowering individuals to become architects of their own futures and catalysts for broader societal progress.”
The 20 finalists who emerged winners from the regional tests were also presented with brand-new laptops and other gifts.
The UBA Foundation Chairperson, Bola Atta, said the competition attracted over 10,000 entries, the first time in the 14-year history of the competition.
Atta disclosed that the first essay the students wrote was on “The Impact of Carbon Emissions on Climate Change in Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions,” which challenged them to demonstrate critical thinking and propose innovative solutions to one of the most pressing global issues.
According to her, in the final test, the 20 students were asked to examine the causes, consequences, and solutions of “Japa Syndrome” in Nigeria.
She expressed excitement at the growing interest in the competition, particularly the increased entries from the northern regions. “We are thrilled to see young minds rise to the challenge of addressing key issues facing our society. This year’s entries were not only numerous but also of exceptional quality, reflecting the brilliance and creativity of Africa’s next generation,” she stated.
One of the judges, Prof. Ini Uko, lauded UBA Foundation for promoting a culture of reading and research among secondary school students.
Uko, from the Department of English, University of Uyo, said many senior secondary school students now look forward to the UBA National Essay Competition and revealed that some students had copied from online sources.
