24th August, 2010
A15-year old student of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Oregun, Lagos State, has emerged the overall winner of the 2010 Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition from 516 entries that were received from students across the nation.
Miss Onyinye Okoli was announced as the star winner with a total score of 78 percent after a keenly contested and closely monitored essay competition for the best 10 candidate under the supervision of Professor Akachi Ezigbo, a Professor of English, from the University of Lagos at TREM Headquarters.
For emerging winner, Miss Okoli will be receiving the star prize of a laptop and N100,000 cash for herself and three set of internet ready desktop computer with printer for her school.
Master Ahia Fego of Brilliant Child College, Bariga, Lagos came second with a total score of 65 percent and was closely followed by Miss Ann Iyabode Cliff of Vetland Senior Grammar School, Lagos who scored 62 percent.
The second best winner will be receiving a cash price of N75,000 for himself and two internet ready desktop computers with printer for his school, while the third best student will receive N50,000 for herself and as set of computer for the school. Consolation prices of N20,000 each will be given to the remaining seven finalists.
The Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition was introduced as part of the activities to mark the birthday celebration of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the presiding Bishop of TREM, and also to improve the standard of education in the country.
Prizes will be presented to winners at the 11th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at the Shell Hall of the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The topic of the lecture is: ”Nigeria at 50: Its leadership, the Development and the future,” and will be delivered by Major General Ishola Williams (retd.).