Winners have emerged in the fifth edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria.

In a keenly contested competition, Miss Emediong Uduak Uko, a 15-year-old student of British Nigerian Academy, Abuja, won the coveted prize of N1m education grant.

Emediong emerged the winner from over 3,326 entries received across the country.

Starish Ugie-Oritse-Ete Enonuya of The Lagoon School, Lagos and Eze Ugochinyere Golden of Living Word Academy School, Abia, emerged first and second runner-ups, winning N750,000 and N500,000 educational grants respectively.

Speaking during the event at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, GMD, Phillips Oduoza, commended all the participants and the schools for encouraging the students.

Oduoza explained that the digital age of technology called for increased interest in reading culture among youths, adding that this had led to the decision of UBA, through its foundation, to begin the Essay Competition.

He said: “UBA Foundation believes in sustainability and in supporting of the environment where we operate, and that is why we have earmarked a certain percentage of our profit to this end.

He noted that the competition which started in 2011 in Nigeria had also be extended to Ghana and Senegal which had also produced winners in the last few years.”

Stressing the nuggets for success, Oduoza said: “Reading is essential to broaden your knowledge and horizon and most importantly youths should maintain self-discipline and ensure that they determine their career part and get mentors to assist them in their goals.”

He also explained that the bank remains committed to dedicating resources towards grooming world leaders, because UBA believes so much in the youth and their ultimate success.

On her part, the MD/CEO, UBA Foundation, Miss Ijeoma Aso, commended the participants and expressed delight at the increase level of participation recorded this year.

She said: “Compared to the last edition, we had an increase of almost 100 per cent in the number of entries received, and this shows that there is a growing level of awareness amongst the youth.”

She added that the impact of UBA Foundation is being felt by many educational institutions and communities in Nigeria.

According to her, the initiative is not only to test the aptitude and knowledge of our students but has become a pipeline to groom future UBA Ambassadors, adding that the winners who would go to any university of their choice in Africa would remain part of the UBA family provided they are of good behavior and remain focused.

“In UBA we appreciate and nurture talents. All the finalists here today have opportunity to excel in life and UBA is delighted to play a part in the process,” she noted.

The 12 finalists selected by a panel of judges made up of professors from reputable Nigerian universities are: Ayomide Omole; Udochukwu Melvin Okonkwo; Emediong Uduak Uko; Jonathan Favour; Obiabunmo Precious and Starish Ugie-Oritse-Ete Enonuya. Others are Comfort Macaulay Uwem; Dada Oluwatobi Joshua; Osagiede Omosefe; Olaoye Promise Oluwatobiloba; Eze Ugochinyere Golden and Peter G Okon.

Each of the 12 finalists received a laptop as a consolation prize for getting to the final of the competition.

As a the CSR platform for the UBA Group, UBA Foundation works through four areas of focus, education, economic empowerment, environment and special project. Communities across Nigeria and other parts of the continent continue to benefit from the foundation through these focus areas.

•Photo shows GMD/CEO, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, with winners of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for secondary schools – Miss Eze Ugochinyere Golden of Living World Academy Aba (3rd prize), Miss Emediong Uduak Uko of British Nigerian Academy (1st Prize) and Miss Enonuoya Starish of Lagoon School Lagos (2nd Prize) during the Grand finale and prize giving ceremony held earlier this week at UBA House in Lagos.

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