Miss Olasubomi Gbenjo, a 15-year-o, Meiran in Lagos State, on Wednesday emerged winner of the 2017 Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Essay Competition.

Gbenjo, an SSS 3, emerged winner out of the 10, 100 entries received from the Senior Secondary Schools category.

She won the competition with her outstanding essay entitled: “Investors Education Critical to Investors’ Participation in the Capital Market”.

She received a N250,000 worth of shares, N500,000 scholarship for university education, a laptop, certificate of participation, three sets of computer, a printer and headlining the closing of the stock market.

Also, Master Opeyeoluwa Olanipeku, a student of Orita-Mefa Baptist Model College, Ibadan, Oyo State, came second, while Miss Oluchi Chuwkuemeka, a student of Notre Dame Girls Academy, Amoyo from Kwara, won the third prize.

Olanipeku received N200,000 worth of shares, N400,000 scholarship for university education, while Chuwkuemeka got N150 worth of shares and N300,000 scholarship.

Each of them also got a laptop, a set of computer and trophy in addition to the cash reward.

Gbenjo told journalists that the award would motivate her to always be the best she desires, as she prepares for her external examination in 2018.

“I want to study Law in the university because of my love for reading and writing.

“The competition spurred me to do a lot of research, because I was not too conversant with the topic, but I gave it my best.

“At the moment, I feel blank, but I am really excited.

“Above all, I am thankful to God Almighty for making this possible.

“I also thank the Nigerian Stock Exchange for this initiative and to my parents for always supporting me and my passion for writing.

“The award will motivate me to reach for the stars; I know now that I am a winner and whatever I put my mind to, I can actually achieve it,” she said.

Gbenjo urged her colleagues to always give in their best during competitions, even if they are not sure of winning.

“Giving your best places you in a position to get the best,” she said.

NAN reports that the NSE Essay Competition started in 2000.

This is to challenge the senior secondary students to develop the personal financial skills needed to make real-work financial decisions with confidence and deep understanding of opportunities, consequences and benefits.

The competition is a financial literacy initiative aimed at bridging the gap between the classroom learning and practical knowledge required for long ctical knowledge required for long term personal financial planning.

Its overall goal is to develop a culture of wealth creation among youths toward building a financially savvy generation. (NAN)

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