Tag: Essay Competition

From 4th to first: Davina Phillips shines at 2025 Mike Okonkwo essay competition

Fifteen-year-old Davina Phillips of Bloombreeds School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has emerged overall champion of the 2025 Mike Okonkwo Annual Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Nigeria, in a remarkable leap from fourth place in the first round to clinching the coveted first position.

Davina, who scored 70% in the first round and 80% in the second, secured a final tally of 75% to edge out 16-year-old runner-up Aniki Emmanuella Onizi of Babcock High School, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, who finished with 68%, and third-place winner Maryam Opeyemi Ilyas, 15, of Isawo Comprehensive High School, Wisdom Island, Ikorodu, Lagos, who scored 66% overall.

Chief Examiner, Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, explained that after evaluating all submissions, the five best essays were shortlisted for a second physical round on a new topic to test the students’ abilities under a more controlled environment. “The 2025 competition was impressive in the sense that the students demonstrated a clear understanding of adult-themed issues,” she noted.

However, she observed a recurring challenge — some participants displayed evidence of collaboration with peers or unoriginal borrowing from internet sources, textbooks, and even Artificial Intelligence tools. “Teachers must let them know how to use material creatively and intelligently for verification and validation,” she advised.

For their triumphs, Davina will receive a cheque for N1 million and a laptop, while her school gets a set of computers. Aniki will take home N500,000, a laptop, and the same reward for her school, while Maryam will earn N400,000, a laptop, and a school computer set. Other finalists will each pocket N50,000 as a consolation prize.

The winners and their schools will be formally honoured at the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture Series at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Launched in 2004 to mark the birthday of the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr. Mike Okonkwo (MFR), the competition was designed to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian educational sector. Over nineteen years, it has fostered a culture of research, reading, and constructive writing among students, while also boosting ICT development in both government and private schools.

Dr. Okonkwo, the chief sponsor and visionary behind the initiative, remains steadfast in his belief that Nigerian youths can compete with their peers globally. His commitment, fuelled by faith and a passion for holistic human development, has made the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition a lasting platform for nurturing academic excellence and shaping the next generation of thought leaders.

August 9, 2025
Entries open for landmark edition of Bishop Mike Okonkwo national essay competition

Organisers of Bishop Mike Okonkwo national essay competition for secondary school students in Nigeria have opened applications for the 2025 edition of the competition.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports entries for the landmark edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo national essay competition opened on Monday, March 17, 2025, and will run through Friday, June 20, 2025.

Rev. Anthony Samuel, who made this known in a statement on behalf of the Corporate Affairs Department on Monday, disclosed that the theme for this year’s competition is: “The Nigeria of Our Dreams: Today’s Reality and a Responsible Pathfinder”.

“To participate in the 20th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition, students must submit an essay (maximum 1,200 words) along with the following details: full name, address, telephone number, school name, class, and the principal’s telephone number,” the statement reads.

TNG reports the 2025 edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo national essay competition is a landmark edition of the national essay competition to mark the 80th birth anniversary of Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

As a result, the winners’ prices have been increased, and according to Rev. Samuel, the first prize winner will receive a cash prize of N1,000,000, a laptop, and a plaque.

“The winning student’s school will also receive a desktop computer and a trophy. The first runner-up will receive N600,000, a laptop, and a plaque, while their school will be awarded a desktop computer.

“The second runner-up will be awarded N400,000, a laptop, and a plaque, with their school also receiving a desktop computer,” he stated.

According to Rev. Anthony, all essays should be submitted in Word document format via email to essay@trem.org.

Recall that the Bishop Mike Okonkwo national essay competition was instituted in 2004 as part of TREM’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed at fostering critical thinking and analytical skills in students to prepare them for success.

Over the years, the Bishop Mike Okonkwo national essay competition has contributed to raising the standard of education in Nigeria.

In 2024, the topic of the competition was “Nigeria’s pathways: Diagnosis and prescriptions”, while in 2023, the topic was “Nigerianisation of Nigerians: A look inward” and 2022, “Nigeria, a country at war against itself: The problems, the solutions and the way forward”.

“This year’s competition is a special edition. The first prize winner will receive a cash prize of N1,000,000, a laptop, and a plaque.

“Additionally, this event is part of the activities celebrating the birthday of the Patron, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, which is especially significant this year as he turns 80,” Rev. Samuel revealed.

TNG reports Dr. Okonkwo as the Presiding Bishop of TREM, also known as Power in the Word, with over 200 branches in Nigeria and around the world, is an Apostle to this generation, having impacted millions globally through his ministry.

A father figure to many and a pastor to pastors, Okonkwo is a dynamic conference speaker, crusade evangelist, national spokesman for Nigeria, and advocate of balanced Christianity.

In his commitment to nation-building, Dr. Okonkwo established the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in 2000. The lecture addresses key challenges facing the nation and proposes meaningful solutions.

Over time, the lecture has become a key platform for influencing government policy, bringing together distinguished individuals to discuss pressing national issues.

The Mike Okonkwo national essay competition was birthed from this platform, and both events culminate on the same day, with the essay topic aligning with the theme of the annual lecture.

In 2012, Dr. Okonkwo was honored with the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR).

Bishop Mike Okonkwo is married to Bishop Peace Okonkwo, and they are blessed with a daughter and son-in-law.

March 17, 2025
UBA Foundation announces 2024 National Essay Competition with double grant prize increase

UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched the 2024 edition of its prestigious National Essay Competition (NEC), unveiling a significant 100% increase in the educational grants for top winners.

Now in its 14th year, the NEC is an initiative designed to foster literacy, critical thinking, and healthy competition among secondary school students, while providing future leaders with the financial support needed to pursue higher education.

This year’s competition invites senior secondary school students to submit essays on the topic: *”The Impact of Carbon Emission on Climate in Nigeria: Discuss the Challenges and Proffer Solutions.”* This theme aligns with global climate change efforts, encouraging students to engage with one of the most pressing environmental challenges.

Out of thousands of entries, 75 finalists will each receive a N75,000 grant before competing in a regional essay-writing competition held in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. From there, the top 20 finalists will vie for the grand prizes: N7.5 million for first place, N5 million for second place, and N3.5 million for third place. In addition, all 20 finalists will receive laptops and other educational tools to enhance their academic pursuits.

In a new initiative this year, teachers from the top three schools with the highest number of entries will also be rewarded for their efforts in encouraging participation.

Essays will be judged by a panel of esteemed English professors from across Nigeria, with winning submissions evaluated on originality, depth of insight, and creativity.

Speaking at the launch, Bola Atta, Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, emphasised the Foundation’s commitment to education as a catalyst for development. “At UBA Foundation, we recognize the transformative power of education. Through this competition, we are not only helping young Africans realize their potential but also equipping them with the resources to shape the future of our continent. We are committed to empowering youth to dream big and achieve greatness.”

Atta further explained the decision to increase the prizes: “We understand the financial challenges many families face, especially given Nigeria’s current economic climate. By increasing the grant prizes, we aim to make a clear statement about our unwavering dedication to African education. This adjustment reflects our awareness of the rising cost of quality education and ensures that outstanding students can pursue their academic dreams without financial barriers.”

The National Essay Competition has also been extended to other African countries where UBA operates, expanding opportunities for students across the continent to benefit from these educational grants.

As a cornerstone of UBA Group’s CSR strategy, UBA Foundation continues to make a positive impact through various initiatives. The Foundation’s “Read Africa” program has donated hundreds of thousands of books to students across the continent, while the National Essay Competition has enabled countless students to further their education and change their lives.

October 17, 2024
Bishop Okonkwo doles out prizes to essay competition winners

Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) has doled out prizes, including cash, plaque and trophy, to winners of the 2024 edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo National Essay competition for Nigerian secondary schools. The winners were honoured along with their schools.

Recall that Olaoye Flourish, a student of Christ the King International School, Gbagada, Lagos State, in August emerged the overall winner of the 19th Edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition.

While Olaoye scored 73% in the competition, Nora Femi-Lawal of Chrisland High School, Lekki, finished second with an average score of 64.5% while Olayimika Esther Durotimi took the third spot with an average score of 61%.

The overall winner received a cheque for N500,000, a trophy, and a plaque, while her school was awarded a set of computers. While the second prize winner received a cheque for N250,000 and a plaque, her school also received a set of computers.

The third place winner was awarded a cheque for N150,000, a plaque, and a computer set for her school. The remaining finalists each received a consolation prize of N20,000.

The winners, alongside their schools, were honoured and rewarded at the Zenith Bank Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan in Lagos State last Thursday during the 23rd Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture Series, with the theme “Nigeria’s Pathways: Diagnosis and Prescriptions”. The lecture also marked the 79th birthday of Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

In the first round of the competition, the title of the essay the students wrote was “Nigeria’s Pathways: Diagnosis and Prescriptions” while in the 2nd round, it was on “Protest Against Misgovernance: The Gains and Pain”.

The Chief Examiner of the essay competition, Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, disclosed that the committee setup for the competition received a total of 551 essays from secondary school students across the country.

According to her, the committee used quality control instruments such as Goggle search machine, Turnitin plagiarism detector and their own eagle eyes to scrutinize each essay for plagiarism, copyright infringements, unhedged A1 assistance and other integrity infractions.

Said she: “The feedback we got enabled us to weed out 341 essays that showed direct evidence of infractions. Apart from the eight participants invited to the second round and validation round of the competition, others fell below our quality threshold of 50 percent.”

Ezeigbo explained that the three winners thought about the issues involved in the topics within the mental orbit of their age. She said they expressed their thoughts in the way that exceptional students of their age would do.

“Their mastery of English language structures marks them out as meticulous students with potential. We must encourage them, as Bishop Mike Okonkwo is doing, to sharpen there thinking and critical skills, by acknowledging their contributions and rewarding their efforts, ” she added.

Prof. Ezeigbo commended Bishop Okonkwo for giving the committee the opportunity to be part of the epochal process of talent development of young people in the country.

September 9, 2024
19-year-old Flourish Olaoye beats two others to emerge winner of 2024 edition of Mike Okonkwo national essay competition

Olaoye Flourish, a student of Christ the King International School, Gbagada, Lagos State, has won the 19th Edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Nigerian secondary schools.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Olaoye scored 73% in the competition, which was held at The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) International Headquarters, Gbagada, Lagos.

Nora Femi-Lawal of Chrisland High School, Lekki, finished with an average score of 64.5% while Olayimika Esther Durotimi took the third spot with an average score of 61%.

Speaking, Professer Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, the Chief Examiner noted: “The three winners tackled the topics with a level of thoughtfulness appropriate for their age. They conveyed their ideas in a manner befitting exceptional students of their age and grade.

“Their command of the English language structures highlights their meticulous nature and significant potential. We congratulate them, as well as the other finalists, and wish them great success in their future endeavours”.

She said that AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Assistant and Gemini, alongside online services, have become a growing influence that produces and sells essays to students,

“As we can no longer avoid these technologies,” she noted, “we must adapt to them and remain vigilant in finding ways to mitigate their negative impact on knowledge production.”

Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo further emphasised, “While we reflect on the direction scientific advancements are leading us, the seven students invited to the finals offer a glimmer of hope.

“They have engaged with issues, using both their hearts and minds, employing original thought within the framework of knowledge production methodologies. These students are the ones who, through their creativity, generate the content that technology often feeds upon.

“We must, therefore, encourage them—as Bishop Okonkwo is doing—by sharpening their critical thinking skills, recognising their contributions, and rewarding their efforts.”

The competition winner will receive a cheque for N500,000, a trophy, and a plaque, while her school will be awarded a set of computers. For the second prize winner, a cheque for N250,000 and a plaque, with her school also receiving a set of computers.

The third place winner will be awarded a cheque for N150,000, a plaque, and a computer set for her school. The remaining finalists will each receive a consolation prize of N20,000.

The winners, alongside their schools, will be honoured and rewarded at the Zenith Bank Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, in the 23rd Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture Series, with the theme “Nigeria’s Pathways: Diagnosis and Prescriptions”.

Highly esteemed Nigerian lawyer and politician Barrister Kanu Agabi, who has served as a Senator and twice as Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, will deliver an inspiring lecture.

Atedo Peterside, the President and Founder of ANAP Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting good governance in Nigeria will be chair the event.

Launched in 2004, the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition was created as part of the celebrations for the birthday of the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo (MFR).

The competition, which is now beyond celebration, was created to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the Nigerian educational sector.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo has remained committed to this cause for nineteen years, using his God-given talents, strength, and resources to bless the younger generation in their pursuit of academic excellence.

He does this by encouraging students to develop strong reading and writing habits. Dr. Okonkwo, a man of faith who believes in the holistic development of humanity, has made significant strides in achieving his vision by institutionalising the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition.

The competition has enkindled a passion for reading and writing, and alsoheightened interest in research, extensive reading, and constructive writing among participating students.

Students in the competition have access to the platform to express their views on crucial issues impacting the socio-economic development of our nation.

Aside this, the competition plays an vital role in advancing ICT development in secondary schools, particularly within government-owned institutions. Winners from both government and private schools have been consistently rewarded with both in-kind and cash gifts.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the Chief Sponsor and visionary behind the programme, remains confident that Nigerian youths can compete on par with their peers in developed nations.

August 9, 2024
JUST IN: Entries open for Bishop Mike Okonkwo 2024 national essay competition

Entries for the 2024 edition of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for all secondary school students in Nigeria are now open from April 8, to June 15, 2024.

This is contained in a statement released on Tuesday by Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh, Corporate Services Director.

According to the statement, the topic for this year’s competition, being the 19th edition, is “Nigeria’s Pathways: Diagnosis and The Prescriptions”.

“For participation in the 19th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for secondary school students, the entry requirements include an essay of a maximum of 2000 words, a Passport Photograph of the Student, Full Name, Address, Contact Telephone Number, Class, School and Name and Telephone contact of the principal.

“All Essay should be submitted in Word document format through email to essay@trem.org

“For this year, the star winner goes home with Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) cash price, a trophy, and a plaque while the school gets a desktop computer. The first runner-up gets a cash prize of N250,000.00 with a plaque, while the school gets a desktop computer.

“The second runner-up gets an N100,000.00 cash prize and a plaque, while the school gets a desktop computer,” the statement reads.

The competition is one of Dr. Mike Okonkwo’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities aimed at raising the standard in the educational sector in the country and at the same time sensitising the students by making them analytically minded so as to excel in their world by developing their ability to think through issues.

Also, the competition is lined up as part of the activities to mark the 79th Birthday of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

Over the years, the competition has been very successful in reshaping the students’ thought patterns and helping them develop problem-solving skills.

The Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition spans over a decade of developing and rewarding the writing skills of Nigerian youths towards national development.

The prizes for this year’s competition will be presented to the winners at the 23rd Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, which has been scheduled for Thursday, September 5th, 2024, at the Muson Centre (Shell Hall) by 10.00 a.m.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), a.k.a. Power in the Word, with over 200 branches in Nigeria and across the globe. He is an Apostle to this generation whose life has impacted millions around the world.

A father to many and a pastor to pastors across the globe, Dr Mike Okonkwo is also a dynamic conference speaker, crusade evangelist, a national spokesman for Nigeria, and an advocate of balanced Christianity.

As the host of ‘Power in the Word,’ a life-transforming television broadcast series, Dr. Okonkwo’s Holy Spirit-inspired insight into the Word of God is remarkably outstanding and empowers people in Nigeria and across the globe.

He also hosts ‘Power for the Wise, ‘ a daily devotional program on the radio that transforms lives daily.

He is also an author whose books have been life-transforming tools in the hands of those who have been privileged to come in contact with them.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo holds several doctorate degrees and honorary awards. He is the Convener of the Communion of Covenant Ministers International (CCMI), a gathering of Pastors designed for Fellowship, Spiritual Covering, Mentoring, Strengthening, and Networking, through conferences, seminars and other interactive sessions.

He is a member of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

He is a man driven by the passion to show the love of God to humanity in every way the Lord enables him.

This passion gave birth to the Empowerment for the Less Privileged Foundation, a non-governmental organisation committed to alleviating the plight of the less privileged in society through donations to hospitals, the establishment of free vocational training centers, running free preparatory schools for students in secondary schools, and facilitating regular public enlightenment campaigns on health issues amongst others.

He also pioneers a scholarship fund for talented students. His strong faith and confidence in women and the potential in women gave him a place on the board of Trustees of the Women of Global Impact (WGI) a non-governmental organization putting smiles on the faces of women by providing Shelter to the homeless and also organizing free medical fair for both men and women across the nation amongst other things.

To contribute his quota to national development, he started the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in 2000.

The lecture has grown to become a major contributor to government policies as it brings together seasoned men and women to discuss burning national issues.

Also, to encourage the writing skills of secondary school children and help them become solution providers to the nation, the Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition was born. Today, the topic for the essay is also the topic for the annual lecture.

In 2012, the Federal Government honoured him with the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR).

Bishop Mike Okonkwo is married to Bishop Peace Okonkwo, and they are blessed with a daughter, Uche.

March 26, 2024
Ike, Alexander win 2023 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition

Miss Ike Destiny from VIK International School, Akere Alagbado in Ogun State and Master Alexander Chibuzor of Archbishop Heerey Technical College, Ogidi in Anambra State have emerged winners of the 2023 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ike and Alexander emerged winners of the 2023 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition out of 795 essay entries received for the 18th edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition.

The essay competition is organised by the founder and presiding bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) for secondary school students in Nigeria.

Ike and Alexander emerged winners by clinching first and second positions, respectively.

According to the Chief examiner Prof. T. Akachi Ezeigbo, “Destiny and Alexander addressed the topic within the mental orbit of their age and demonstrated commendable passion and independent thinking in their writing.

“We congratulate and present them as exemplars of young people determined to forge their own path through critical use of easy ways”.

In addition, the chief examiner further disclosed: “we are constrained to present an overall winner and just one runner-up this year, against the normal practice of presenting one winner and two runners-up”.

Prof Ezeigbo added: “A considerable chunk of the entries we received was, as usual, unsuitable for consideration. They were either lifted directly from online sources and presented as original materials or were revised and presented as such.

“We are used to this practice among young people, and so spent considerable time tracking the essays on the internet in line with our quality control procedures”.

For their efforts, Miss Ike Destiny will be smiling home with a cheque of N500,000, a trophy, and a plaque, while her school gets a set of computer. For Master Chibuzor Alexander who came second, he will be going home with a cheque of N250,000, a plaque and his school will get a set of computer.

According to a statement by Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh, Corporate Services Director, prices for the winners of the 18th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools in the country will be presented at this year’s Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture.

The theme for this year’s Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, scheduled to hold at the Zenith Shell Hall Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, on Thursday, September 7, 2023, is “Nigerianization of Nigerians: A Look Inward”.

TNG reports Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition was initiated in the year 2004, as part of activities to celebrate the Birthday of the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo (MFR), and more importantly to contribute to the development of the Educational Sector.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo has continued in this gesture for 18 years, using his God-given talent, strength, and resources to be a blessing to the younger generation in the pursuit of academic excellence by encouraging them to cultivate the habit of reading and writing effectively. This man of God, who believes in the absolute development of mankind in all facets of life, has used the institutionalization of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition to achieve this dream and desire.

The essay competition program has helped some students that participated in the program to develop more interest in research work, reading extensively, and writing constructively.

Apart from serving as a tool to encourage reading and writing, the competition has also given the students the opportunity to bare their minds on topical issues that are significant to the social-economic development of our nation.

The essay competition has also contributed to ICT development in secondary schools, especially in government-owned schools. Winners have emerged from both government-owned schools and private schools, and they have always been encouraged with gifts both in-kind and cash.

The Chief Sponsor and visionary of the program, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, is confident of the fact that Nigerian youths can compete favourably with their counterparts in developed nations.

July 28, 2023
Entries open for 2023 Bishop Mike Okonkwo national essay competition

Entries for the 2023 edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for all Secondary School Students in Nigeria is now open from March 20th to June 2nd, 2023.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the 2023 edition of the national essay competition will be the 18th edition of the competition which started over a decade ago.

According to a statement by Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh, Corporate Services Director, the topic for this year’s competition is “NIGERIANIZATION OF NIGERIANS: A LOOK INWARD”.

For participation in the 18th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students, the entry requirements include: Essay of maximum of 2000 words, a Passport Photograph of the Student, Full Name, Address, Contact Telephone Number, Class, School and Name and Telephone contact of the Principal. All Essay should be submitted in word format through email to essay@trem.org

For this year, the star winner goes home with Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) cash price, a trophy, and a plaque while the school gets a desktop computer. The first runner-up gets a cash prize of N250,000.00 with a plaque while the school gets a desktop computer. The second runner-up gets an N100,000.00 cash prize and a plaque while the school gets a desktop computer.

TNG reports the competition is one of Dr. Mike Okonkwo’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities aimed at raising the standard in the educational sector in the country and at the same time sensitizing the students by making them analytically minded so as to excel in their world by developing their ability to think through issues.

Also, as part of the activities lined up to mark the 78th Birthday of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

Over the years the competition has been very successful in reshaping the thought pattern of the students to develop problem-solving skills.

The Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition spans over a decade of developing and rewarding the writing skills of Nigerian youths towards national development.

The prizes for this year’s competition will be presented to the winners at the 22nd Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, which has been scheduled for Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at the Muson Centre (Shell Hall) by 10.00 am prompt.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) a.k.a. Power in the Word with over 200 branches in Nigeria and across the globe.

He is an Apostle to this generation, whose life has impacted millions around the world. A father to many, and a pastor to pastors across the globe, Dr Mike Okonkwo is also a dynamic conference speaker, crusade evangelist, a national spokesman for Nigeria, and an advocate of balanced Christianity.

As the host of ‘Power in the Word’ a life-transforming television broadcast series, Dr. Okonkwo’s Holy Spirit-inspired insight into the Word of God is remarkably outstanding and empowers people in Nigeria and across the globe.

He is also the host of ‘Power for the Wise’ a daily devotional program on the radio that is transforming lives daily. He is also an author whose books have been life-transforming tools in the hands of those who have been privileged to come in contact with them.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo holds several doctorate degrees and honorary awards. He is the Convener of the Communion of Covenant Ministers International (CCMI) a gathering of Pastors designed for Fellowship, Spiritual Covering, Mentoring, Strengthening, and Networking, through conferences, seminars and other interactive sessions. He is a member of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

He is a man driven by the passion to show the love of God to humanity in every way the Lord enables him. This passion gave birth to the Empowerment for the Less Privileged Foundation, a non-governmental organisation committed to alleviating the plight of the less privileged in society through donations to hospitals, the establishment of free vocational training centers, running free preparatory schools for students in secondary schools, and facilitating regular public enlightenment campaigns on health issues amongst others.

He also pioneers a scholarship fund for talented students. His strong faith and confidence in women and the potential in women gave him a place on the board of Trustees of the Women of Global Impact (WGI) a non-governmental organization putting smiles on the faces of women by providing Shelter to the homeless and also organizing free medical fair for both men and women across the nation amongst other things.

To contribute his quota to national development he started the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in 2000 and the lecture has grown to become a major contributor to government policies as it brings together seasoned men and women to discuss burning national issues.

Also, to encourage the writing skills of children in secondary school and also to help them become solution providers to the nation, the Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition was born. Today, the topic for the essay is also the topic for the annual lecture.

In 2012, he was honour with a National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) by the Federal Government.

Bishop Mike Okonkwo is married to Bishop Peace Okonkwo and they are blessed with a daughter, Uche.

March 19, 2023
State Senior High School student wins 17th Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Essay Competition

An SS3 student of the State Senior High School, Ikeja Lagos, Ayeni Oluwanifemi Bright has won the this 17th edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Essay Competition.

This year’s competition themed: “Nigeria, A Country At War Against Itself: The Problems, The Solutions And The Way Forward,” received over a thousand entries from secondary schools across the country.

Bright scored 65 per cent to beat her closest rival from Ijegun Senior Comprehensive High School, Isolo, Yekini Roqeed Abolaji, who scored 64 per cent to take second position, while Eneche Leila of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Oregun, came third with a score of 63 per cent in the keenly contested essay competition.

Chief Examiner of the competition Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, noted that the back-to-back scores of the winners, shows the keen nature of the competition and the originality of the efforts put into it.

Ezeigbo who was represented by Adaobi Moore, also pointed that no contestant in the first three positions during the first round was able to hold their place in the end of the second and final round of the competition.

“This suggests the involvement of invisible hands during the first round, and also the continuous necessity of the second round in strengthening the integrity of the competition,” she said.

The winners showed an impressive understanding of the two topics – Nigeria, A Country At War Against Itself: The Problems, The Solutions And The Way Forward, and 2023 Election: A New Nigeria or a Descent Into Chaos – selected for the first and second round of the competition.

“Their orderly presentation of ideas and remarkable control of the English language mark them out as meticulous people with huge potential,” Ezeigbo said further.

She suggested that to boost the quality and originality of entries submitted for future competitions, participating schools must be warned on the implications of plagiarism and offering undue help to students.

L-R: Representative of the Chief Examiner Adaobi Moore, Commodore Ebitu Ekiye, second prize winner Yekini Roqeed Abolaji, Bishop Peace Okonkwo, first prize winner Ayeni Oluwanifemi Bright, third prize winner Eneche Leila and Bishop Mike Okonkwo, at the award ceremony on Thursday in Lagos.

The Chief Examiner noted that when students steal their entries from the internet and do not win the competition, their respect for intellectual property right would grow.

“Submitting wordproccessed essays enabled us to scrutinize for plagiarism. The competition is thus helping to insert students into the digital world that is now inevitable in all communications,” she stated.

Cash prizes of N100, 000, N75, 000, and N50, 000, as well as plaques, were presented to the first, second, and third winners respectively.

The top three winning schools were also presented with computers, while winner of the first position received a personal laptop and consolation prizes were awarded to seven other contestants who emerged fourth to 10th position.

Earlier, a renowned Biologist and former Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Prof. Anya O. Anya, who was speaker at the event which doubled as the 21st Mike Okonkwo annual lecture, said adopting the productivity paradigm for national development immediately imposes a new value system anchored on innovation, competition, accountability and education.

Anya noted that the capacity to deal with the multi-faceted problems facing the country is limited by the number and quality of its professional class and education system which has been denied the minimum level of resources needed to lay the foundations of a knowledge economy.

He added that science and technology was critical in driving wealth creation and the potential for increasing wealth was limitless if anchored on ideas, skills and new insights.

September 9, 2022
2022 Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition – Ayeni, Yekini and Enecha emerge as winners

A 15-years old, Miss. Ayeni, Oluwanifemi Bright, of State Senior High School, GRA Ikeja, Lagos; 15-year old Yekini, Roqeed Abolaji, of Ijegun Senior Comprehensive High School, Isolo, Lagos and 13-year old Miss Enecha Leila, of Vivian Fowler’s Memorial College For Girls Oregun Ikeja Lagos, have emerged as first, second and third place winners respectively of 2022, Bishop Mike Okonkwo National Essays Competition For Senior Secondary Schools In Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the competitions Chief Examiner, Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, while commending the organizers for discouraging handwritten entries, described the topic as friendly and clearly mapped out the structural expectations for the informed students as they responded by articulating their understanding of the Nigerian situations in ways that revealed their deep immersion in socio-political issues. Said Ezeigbo, “As usual, the writers of the ten best essays were invited to the second round of the competition to write on the topic, “2023 Election: A New Nigeria or a Descent Into Chaos”.

According to the Chief examiner, “Ayeni, Oluwanifemi Bright of State Senior High School, GRA Ikeja is the winner of the competition for this year. Yekini, Roqeed Abolaji of Ijegun Senior Comprehensive High School, Isolo Lagos who takes the second position. Eneche, Leila of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Oregun, Lagos came 3rd.

The winners showed an impressive understanding of the two topics and were able to address them as exceptional students in their class and category should. Their orderly presentation of ideas and remarkable control of the English language mark them out as meticulous people with huge potential. We congratulate the other finalists and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

For their efforts, Miss Ayeni will be smiling home with a cheque of N100,000, a personal Laptop, a trophy, and a plaque, while the school gets three sets of computers. Master Yekini who came second will go home with a cheque of N75,000, a plaque and the school will get two sets of computers. For emerging the third position in this year’s competition, Miss Enecha will go home with a cheque of N50,000, a plaque and the school gets a computer set. The other winners will get a consolation price of N20,000 each.

The prices for the winners of the 17th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools in the country will be presented at this year’s Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, at the Zenith Shell Hall Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, on Thursday, September 8, 2022. The theme for this year’s lecture is “Nigeria, A Country At War Against Itself: The Problems, The Solutions And The Way Forward”.

Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition was initiated in the year 2004, as part of activities to celebrate the Birthday of the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo (MFR), and more importantly to contribute to the development of the Educational Sector.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo has continued in this gesture for 17 years, using his God-given talent, strength, and resources to be a blessing to the younger generation in the pursuit of academic excellence by encouraging them to cultivate the habit of reading and writing effectively. This man of God, who believes in the absolute development of mankind in all facets of life, has used the institutionalization of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition to achieve this dream and desire.

The essay competition program has helped some students that participated in the program to develop more interest in research work, reading extensively, and writing constructively. Apart from serving as a tool to encourage reading and writing, the competition has also given the students the opportunity to bare their minds on topical issues that are significant to the social-economic development of our nation. The essay competition has also contributed to ICT development in secondary schools, especially in government-owned schools. Winners have emerged from both government-owned schools and private schools, and they have always been encouraged with gifts both in-kind and cash.

The Chief Sponsor and visionary of the program, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, is confident of the fact that Nigerian youths can compete favorably with their counterparts in developed nations.

July 12, 2022