14–year-old Odjegba Divine Omesiri has emerged the overall winner of the 2018 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition at the grand finale, which was held at the UBA House, Marina Lagos.
Odjegba Divine Omesiri, a student of The International High School, Delta State, won over 11 other finalists selected from over 6,000 entries received by the UBA Foundation from students of senior secondary schools across Nigeria.
Miss Odjegba Divine Omesiri is rewarded with a laptop as well as an educational grant worth ₦2 million to study in any African university of her choice.
The second prize was won by Ozemoka Halimat Emesomi, aged 15, of University Preparatory Secondary School, Edo State, who won a ₦1.5 million educational grant and a laptop, while the third prize of ₦1 million educational grant and a laptop went to Adiankpo Ini-Iso Christopher, 16 years old of the Nigerian Christian Institute Akwa Ibom State. The other 9 finalists all received laptops.
This year’s edition of the competition expected eligible secondary students to send in handwritten entries on the topic: What is the biggest environmental issue you think your generation will face? How can it be avoided and how can it be solved?”
The UBA Foundation National Essay competition aims to provide a competitive platform to develop the intellectual and writing abilities of senior secondary school students in Nigeria. Winners get educational grants to study in any African University of their choice. The competition has been held annually since 2011 with students challenged to write on different engaging topics to test their writing and cognitive skills.
According to Odjegba Divine Omesiri on winning the 2018 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition:
“This is something I prayed about and worked hard to achieve. I was in shock to hear my name announced as the winner and my mother and I cried for joy.
I am indeed very grateful to UBA and the Foundation for this huge opportunity and making me believe in myself. This grant will go a long way to support my bid for quality education.”
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc, Kennedy Uzoka stated:
“We have indeed noted the increase in the cost of living and have therefore increased the prize money by 100 percent in all the categories. Seeing past winners tell their stories on the impact the grants have made on their education and particularly how the financial burden was lifted off their parents, gives us joy that our foundation is unique and deeply touching lives.”
