From: Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A 15-year-old student of the newly established Ijaw National Academy, Master Martin Franklin (Jnr), has emerged the winner of the N1 million Essay Writing competition for students of Senior Secondary School in Bayelsa State.
Franklin beat Miss Sweet-Owei Blessed Tari of Tare Pet Montessori School who was runner up and Miss Ayamieye Tamara-Ifie of Biedomo Premiere School that emerged second runner with cash prizes of N250, 000 and N150, 000 respectively.
The Essay competition, which lasted for three days, was organised by the Robert Sunday Iworiso Foundation, in conjunction with the State Ministry of Education and the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA).
According to investigations, over 100 secondary students from schools in the eight local government councils of the state participated in the essay competition with the topic “Education is an imperative for National Development and Global Relevance”.
Speaking at the event, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Deacon Markson Fefegha, pledged with the state government commitment to increased investment in the education sector because of its significance in human capital development.
Fefegha, said the government was excited to witness substantial benefits from the strategic and timely investment it has made in the education sector which available records has indicated.
While highlighting some of the key interventions Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has made as part of the paradigm shift in the education sector, he commended the organizers of the Essay Competition for keying into the vision of the government in promoting academic excellence.
Earlier in his remarks, Director of the Robert Sunday Iworiso Foundation, Chief John Alphonsus Iworiso had expressed the hope that the winner of the first prize will seize the unique opportunity to not only enjoy the limelight but also make his family and Bayelsa State proud.
He reiterated the commitment of the foundation in ensuring that it lives up to its motto of fulfilling dream as well as turning smiles into laughter especially among the less privileged.
“The Essay competition is one of several ways through which we hope to discover the untapped potentials and to truly engage students and inspire them to become change agents and make them the true leaders of tomorrow that they are born to be. That is why I must once again use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for investing so much in education. This auditorium we are in now is one of the testimonies to that fact. we will also like to advice parents of the winner to encourage their child to see writing as a noble career rather than force them to areas they do not have interest.”