Winners have emerged in this year’s edition of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition.
The competition which is the 12th of its kind had Chisom Emeto of Port-Harcourt International School, Asuquo Mirabel of Redeemers International Secondary School, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and Ihejirika Jonathan of Kings College, Lagos emerged first, second and third respectively out of the 2,997 entries received for the competition.
Announcing the winners in Lagos, the Chief examiner, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo of the English Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG), explained that the winners emerged for their ability to engage the subject by showing how citizens have been culprit in entrenching bad governance and then propose what must be done to institute a political class that will deliver good governance.
As stated by her, Emeto scored 73 percent at the first stage and 66 percent at the second stage to emerge the winner; Asuquo scored 72 percent in the first stage and 65 percent in the second stage and; Ihejirika scored 71 percent in the first stage and 60 percent in the second round to emerge second and third respectively.
Speaking further, she stated Awe Iyanuoluwa of Chapel Secondary School Ilorin, Kwara State scored 65 percent in the first entry and 56 percent in the second stage emerged fourth while Aladegbami Oluwadamilola of Hallmark Secondary School Ondo State, scored 66 percent in the first stage and 55 percent in the second stage emerged fifth.
The sixth position went to Muhammed Babayo of Premier Academy, Lugbe, Abuja FCT who scored 65 percent in the first stage and 51 percent in the second stage to clinched while the seventh position was clinched by Iro Akanma of Kuramo Senior Secondary School, Victoria Island, Lagos who scored 60 percent in the first stage and 50 percent in the second stage.
However in a statement signed by the Group Manager, Operations, TREM International, Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh, Emeto will receive a cheque of N100,000, a laptop, a plague while the school will get three set of Internet ready computers and a printer. Asuquo will receive a cheque of N75,000, a plaque and the school will get two Internet ready computers and a printer while Ihejirika will go home with a cheque of N50,000, a plaque and the school will get an Internet Ready Computer.
Others according to her will get a consolation price of N20,000 each.
She stated the prizes will be presented at this year's Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture with the theme; “The Nigerian Political Class and the Citizens Quest for Good Goverce” at the Shell Hall Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos on Thursday September 3rd.