The United Bank for Africa Plc. UBA Foundation’s 2018 National Essay Competition has now produced an overall winner, Odjegba Divine Omesiri, a 14-year old student of the International High School, Delta State at the grand finale held on Monday, November 26, 2018 at the UBA House, Marina Lagos.
Two girls and a boy emerged as top three spots in the 2018 edition of the UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition. Odjegba who came out as the overall winner, carted away with a brand new laptop and educational grant worth N2 million to study in any African university of her choice.
Miss Odjegba defeated 11 other finalists selected from over 6,000 entries received by the UBA Foundation from students of senior secondary schools across Nigeria. The 2018 edition saw over 500 per cent increase in participation from pupils across every single state of the federation.
Second prize went to Ozemoka Halimat Emesomi, a 15-year old student of University Preparatory Secondary School, Edo State, she won N1.5 million educational grant and a laptop while Adiankpo Ini-Iso Christopher, came third with a prize of N1,000,000 and a brand new laptop. Christopher is 16-years old from the Nigerian Christian Institute, Akwa Ibom State. Other 9 finalists received brand new lap tops respectively.
Speaking on her victory, elated Odjegba in company of her mother, Mrs Odjegba, said; “I am excited to have come top in the competition, the experience has given me the confidence that I can face great challenges and emerge a winner. Winning the competition will help me pursue my childhood dreams of becoming a Gynecologist.”
“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.”
Felicitating with all the winners, MD/CEO of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta said that; “Every student who sent in an entry is a winner. To be confident about your writing skills and ambitious enough to enter a competition to further enhance your educational path is laudable. For those that did not win, I would say do not be discouraged. Take it as a challenge to perfect your writing skills and enter for the competition again in 2019.”
“UBA Foundation, being the CSR arm of UBA Plc, makes it a point of duty to give back to communities where UBA operates. Education in any capacity, remains of the Foundation’s focus area as it is the bedrock of any nation.”
Also, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc. in his remarks, said; “UBA as a bank is happy that it is touching lives and making a solid impact through this competition and the grant it gives out annually to those who emerge winners.”
“We have indeed noted the increase in the cost of living and have therefore increased the prize money by 100 per cent 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.”
“The essay competition has produced over 100 winners, since its inception in 2011 in Nigeria, with winners studying varied courses in Universities in Nigeria and within the African continent. The winners should be of good character, and ensure that apart from academic excellence, they must avoid any negative action that might dent the foundation’s image and that of their families as they are now UBA ambassadors.”