Osun State Government on Saturday marked this year’s independence anniversary with essay competition for secondary Schools and higher institutions students.
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji said the competition was organized to encourage students to focus on their education.
He said the introduction of the annual essay writing competition among students of Senior Secondary School and Tertiary InstitutionsInstitutions help create healthy competition in the area of academics and creativity.
The governor said “Giving an opportunity to our students to express their opinions on the importance of the independence of our nation sharpens their imaginative capabilities, builds their communication skills, broadens their intellectual horizon, enhances their competitive abilities and prepares them for nation building as leaders of tomorrow.
“By this competition, we have also prepared yet another coterie of students that are capable of representing our State nationally. I am confident that by the quality of performance of today’s competitors, we have another set of students who are capable of winning laurels at global competitions.”
Oyetola however congratulated the winners for demonstrating zeal, diligence and commitment that fetched them success while wishing the first runner-up a better luck next time.
He reinstated his administration’s commitment to continuing to offer opportunities and possibilities to students to excel in all facets of life.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Hon. Lekan Badmus disclosed that the step has yielded positive results with the youth of Osun State Origin in Colleges and Tertiary Institutions confidently throwing their hats into the ring to participate in the competition.
Hon. Badmus noted that a lot of positive stories have recorded since the commencement of the essay competition in year 2020.
He said “For instance, the participant who emerged first in the maiden edition, Samson Abosede Oyinlola, after winning our award has gone on to win National and International awards in essay writing competitions. The first and second runner-ups are also doing great. Most encouraging is the fact that these yang lads are interacting frequently to collaborate and advance themselves in life.”
“Similarly, Adeyemo Victor Ayodeji who came first in the tertiary institution category in the year 2021 edition and won a brand new Toyota Corolla Car is also soaring in academic accomplishments. In that year’s secondary school category, Adegboyega Abisola Faith came first. Our dear Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola promised her a scholarship in any public university in Nigeria. She gained admission into Osun State University that same year. Our compassionate Governor has fulfilled his promises by giving her a scholarship of #2.5 Million Naira to carter for her 5 year course school fees from part 1 to part 5 such is the seriousness our perspicacious Governor attaches to education, diligence and focus.”
The competition attracted 93 entries from the secondary school category and 83 from the tertiary institution section after which 10 each were selected for the finals on independence anniversary day.
Winner of the competition for the tertiary institution category went home with cash prize of 500,000 naira while the winner for the Secondary Schools category went home with cash prize of 250,000 naira with laptop computers and printers.
Other participants also went home with cash and other gift items as encouragement.
