Tehilah Oluchukwu Isimah of Everest Heights Int’l Academy, Gwagwalada-Abuja, has been announced as the overall winner of the 14th edition of the annual National Essay Competition (NEC) organised by UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group.
Isimah clinched the highly coveted prize of a ₦7.5 million educational grant, which will support her university education at any African institution of her choice.
Receiving her prize at the grand finale held at the UBA House, Tehilah Oluchukwu 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.”
Her mother who was present at the event appreciated UBA Foundation, saying, “This is indeed a dream come through for us, I am so happy.”
Obinna-Chukwu Chikamara Christabel from Regina Pacis College, Abuja, secured second place, receiving a ₦5 million grant, while Essien Greatness Emediong of the Nigerian Christian Institute, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, took third place with a ₦3.5 million grant.
The 20 finalists, who excelled in the regional tests, were awarded brand new laptops and other valuable resources to support their studies as they prepare for tertiary education.
Oliver Alawuba, managing director of UBA Group, congratulated all the winners, emphasising the bank’s goal to promote education across the Africa.
In the words of Oliver Alawuba:
“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.”
Bola Atta, managing director of UBA Foundation, said:
“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.”
This year’s NEC recorded over 10,000 entries, marking an unprecedented milestone in the history of the competition.
Participants were tasked with the essay topic, “The Impact of Carbon Emissions on Climate Change in Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions,” encouraging them to showcase critical thinking and propose innovative approaches to address one of the world’s most pressing issues.
