Winners of the second edition of the Bayelsa online Essay Competition for undergraduates at the weekend received their various prizes as the state government pledged to encourage youths to unleash their creative potentials.

The winner, Miss Michael Timiebiere, a 400-level student of the Federal University, Otuoke, of the Department of Economics and Development received the cash prize of N100,000, a Certificate of Excellence and a book for emerging the best contestant.

Mr. Sunday Amadu Inemotimi of Niger Delta University who came 2nd and received a cash prize of N50,000, a Certificate of Excellence, and a gift item.

Miss. Karinate Olali of the Rivers State University came 3rd with cash prize of N30,000 naira, a certificate of excellence, and a gift item.

Two other consolation prizes were received by Mr. Ekubo Jerry Patrick for 4th position, and Mr. William Enizibe Zidie for coming 5th in the contest.

The essay competition is organised by the Office of the Director/Co-ordinator, Bayelsa Government New Media.

The 2020 edition has as its topic, “Bayelsa Unity is strength: One People, Common Destiny”.

According to the organisers, the essay contest is aimed at engaging the young people and make them contribute to the development of the state through their creative writing skills.

The Director, New Media to the Governor, Mr. Kola Oredipe, and the judges in the competition, Dr. Sophia Obi-Apoko and Mr. Victor Binawari presented the prizes to the winners of the essay competition at the Government House, Yenagoa.

Oredipe said that Gov. Douye Diri, was desirous to connect with and motivate Bayelsa youths on the productive use of the internet and make positive impact on their lives to achieve a greater future.

He said that the prosperity policy of the current administration remained youth friendly and would create more empowerment programmes for them to be able to contribute to the development of Bayelsa.

“Today, you are receiving your prizes. This government wants to connect with the young people who are the future of this state.

“Education is very key to the development of any society and so, our Governor will invest more in education in this journey to prosperity so that we can create more wealth among the people.

“Congratulations to you all. This essay should bring out the best in you, try and read more, write more, then you can improve,” Oredipe said.

In their separate speeches, the two judges who assessed the 54 online essay entries through the Bayelsa Government New Media facebook page congratulated the winners for the feat

The judges advised them to reflect on the lessons learnt in the exercise to improve their writing skills in the next edition.

The winner of the online essay competition, Michael and the 2nd placed, Inemotimi, while thanking the governor for the initiative which has given them the opportunity to prove themselves.

They appealed for the sustenance of the competition for greater participation by young people of Bayelsa.

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