Oke-Odo Senior High School Agege Emerges Champion At 2020 Essay Writing Competition

Winners have emerged at the grand finale of the Y2020 essay competition amongst students of Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Lagos State.

Adekola Samuel of Oke-Odo Snr. High School, Agege, Ademisoye Anuoluwapo of Egbe Junior Grammar School, Alimosho, and Omodesire Liadi of Saint Agnes Primary School, Kosofe, clinched the Star prizes in the Senior, Junior and Primary categories respectively in an award presentation ceremony held today at the Ministry of Education, Alausa, Ikeja.

Over 700 participants from all schools within the State participated at the Zonal/District Preliminaries, which thereafter presented 140 eligible competitors from the six Education Districts and SUBEB for the State finals that produced winners in the three categories.

Addressing the champions, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo expressed excitement, as she commended the competitors for their brilliance and articulate delivery.

The Commissioner affirmed that the essay competition, one of the Co-Curricular programmes of the Ministry, is aimed at sharpening the research and writing skills of the students and by implication improving their vocabulary, adding that this will boost their confidence, oratory skills and in-depth knowledge of their environment.

Adefisayo observed that the writers of the essay scripts displayed “the gift of deep thought and articulate writing skills to convey ideas, communicate philosophy, recall occurrences and peep into the future, which are required in literary works”.

She encouraged the students to conduct researches on relevant topics and trending issues through online encyclopedia such as Google, Wikipedia, and other search engines, which will aid their learning process and give them a wider scope, making them digital savvy in line with the Education and Technology pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.

Commending the efforts of teachers, Adefisayo reiterated that the State Government will not relent in its commitment towards providing a habitable and conducive environment for teaching and learning.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja noted that the essay competition in schools has provided a platform for the students to strive for excellent performance in the art of writing.

Mrs. Adelaja stressed that the Ministry had to proffer new ways of engaging the students amidst the COVID-19 period, in a bid to further boost their learning which is very critical to the State Government.

She appreciated all stakeholders in the education sector and parents for their immense contributions throughout the year as there is more to be done in the coming year towards preparing a greater future for the children.

Ogueliwu Fortune of Lagos State Model Nursery/Primary School, GRA and Muhammed Aisha of Baruwa Nursery/Primary School, Mushin, emerged the 1st and 2nd runners up in the Primary School category while Olaniyan Noah of Vetland Junior Grammar School, Agege, and Nlebedim Chioma of New-Era Girls Junior Secondary School, Surulere, clinched the 1st and 2nd runners up position in the Junior Category.

In the Senior Category, Ikeh Chidera of Gbaja Girls Senior High School, Surulere and Suliamon-Oba Maryam of Adebola Baptist Senior School, Surulere, took the 1st and 2nd runners up positions respectively. Highpoints of the event were the presentation of Trophies, Plaques and gift items to the winners in the various categories.