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Tag: Essay Competition

  • Entries open for 2022 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition

    Entries open for 2022 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition

    Organizers of the annual Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition have announced call for entries for the 2022 edition of the competition.

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

    According to the statement, the 2022 edition of the competition will be the 17th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition and the theme is: “Nigeria A Country At War Against Itself: The Problems; The Solutions And The Way Forward”.

    From March 14th to May 20th, 2022, Secondary School Students across the Six (6) geopolitical zone in the country will slog it out for the first, second, and third prize winners of the 17th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for 2022.

    Aside from the cash prize of N100,000, N75,000, and N50,000 for the First, Second, and Third Prize winners, the first prize winner will also get a laptop and a plaque while the school gets three sets of computers. The second prize winner will also get a plaque while the school gets two (2) sets of personal computers and the third prize winner’s school will get one set of a personal computer.

    The Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition, which has attracted thousands of students over the years, has been a platform that enables secondary school students to sharpen their writing skills for their future benefit.

    For participation in the 17th 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. Essays are to be submitted through email to essay@trem.org only.

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

    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 sensitize the students by making them analytically minded exceling in their world by developing their ability to think through issues. It also forms a part of the activities lined up to mark the 77th Birthday of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

    The prizes for this year’s competition will be presented to the winners at the 21st Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, which has been scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2022, 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 millions 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 organization committed to alleviating the plight of the less privileged in the society through donations to hospitals, the establishment of free vocational training centers, running free preparatory schools for students in the secondary schools, and facilitating regular public enlightenment campaigns on health issues amongst others. He also pioneers a scholarship fund for talented students who are less privileged. 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 in the faces of women by providing shelter to the homeless and organizes 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 to help them become solution providers to the nation, the Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition was born. It is pertinent to note that the topic for the essay is also the topic for the annual lecture.

    In 2012, he was a recipient of the 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.

  • UNILORIN female student emerges best in NCC essay competition

    UNILORIN female student emerges best in NCC essay competition

    A female student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Miss Esther Oluwabukola Gbeja has emerged as the overall best in a national essay competition organized by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Miss Esther was announced the best among other winners by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta on Tuesday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Prof. Danbatta noted that the national essay competition was the third that the NCC has organized, and that the Commission received close to 2000 entries for the third edition won by Esther.

    He revealed that about 97 higher institutions of learning partook in the competition with the topic: 5G Technology: Opportunities and Challenges.

    Saying that the topic of the competition was timely, Danbatta stated that the NCC was at an important stage in the deployment of 5G technology across the country, stressing that the Commission is now ready to receive bids for 5G spectrum.

    Emphasizing on the deployment of 5G in the country, he reiterated that the Federal Government would gain N75 billion from its spectrum auctioning in 5 coming months.

    The EVC further explained that the auction was software-based, adding that provision had been made for manual auction should the auction software fail during the process.

    He informed that new entrants were allowed to participate in addition to existing licensees, and that only licensees with 100 per cent regulatory approval would be allowed to participate in the auction.

    “The NCC is at the verge of auctioning Spectrum for the provision of 5G technology and we decided to take advantage of the moment by challenging our youth to be innovative and as resourceful as their counterparts in advanced countries. The controversies surrounding COVID-19 and 5G technology are now in the past.

    “I want to reassure you that the economic benefits of 5G to Nigeria post-coronavirus pandemic will be huge, especially as almost all businesses and activities of the government are migrating and offering their services online.

    “5G will enable a new kind of network to Nigerians that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects and devices.

    “Nigeria’s vibrant youth population stands to benefit immensely from the deployment of 5G as it will offer technopreneurs, technology enthusiasts, SMEs and tech-startups to expand and network with other global players on a scale that has never been witnessed before,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Essay Competition Committee, Mr Edoyemi Ogoh, said that the committee was guided by the commission’s guiding principles of being fair and upright in following the criteria to determine the winners.

    He said that one of the objectives that the commission engaged youths from tertiary institutions across the country was to challenge themselves in the understanding and problem solving imperatives as well as essential new technologies.

    Ogoh noted that NCC was a key stakeholder in the development and growth of the communications sector in the country.

    “The commission recognises the act of innovative thinking in growing the communications industry in Nigeria.

    “The commission engaged the youth to participate in tertiary institutions across the country to challenge themselves in the understanding and problem solving imperatives as well as essential new technologies, which is one of the objectives of the NCC in the essay competition,” he said.

    Esther, who came first spoke on behalf of other participants of the competition, she thanked the NCC and urged Nigerians to understand efforts of the Federal Government on the 5G technology.

    She also called on the NCC to come up with massive awareness creation in collaboration with diverse stakeholders and professionals in the execution of the 5G network across the country.

    TNG reports Nosa Moses Edosa from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) emerged in second place, while Nasiru Abdulkarim from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and Marc-Patrick Efevuriri Efeni from Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology emerged tied in third place in the competition.

    Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of prize money and awards to the winners of the competition. While Esther was presented a cheque of N500,000.00 and awarded a printer and a laptop, Nosa received a cheque of N300,000.00. Nasiru and Efeni, who tied at third place, each received a cheque of N200,000.00.

  • Amazing 16-year-old wins 2019 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition overall prize

    A 16-year-old Master Esigbone Omagbemi Ferdinard of Roshallom International Secondary School, Egbeda, Lagos who came third in the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School students in Nigeria last year (2018), has emerged the overall winner in the 2019 edition of the competition having scored a total average of 68%.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the second position went to Oluwaseun Esther Aremu of Shepherd International College Ado-Ekiti with an average score of 61%, while Adeola Ademuwa Ifeola from Chrisfield College, Itamaga, Ikorodu came third with a total average score of 60%.
    However, the fourth position was a tie, with West Tamunonye also of Christfield College, Itamaga, Ikorodu, and Anazia Rita from Roshallom International School accruing a total average score of 56%.
    Ajayi Ibukun of Fit-Charis International School and Olaitan Olajuwon of Chrisfield College, Itamaga both took the fifth position respectively in the competition with an average score of 54%.
    While announcing the 2019 results of the competition, the Chief Examiner, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo disclosed that a total of six hundred and twelve (612) essay entries were sent in for assessment, representing a drop of about 28% when compared to the eight hundred and forty-eight (848) that were received and assessed last year.
    According to Ezeigbo, the drop does not indicate any waning of enthusiasm for the competition.
    “On the contrary, feedback from teachers and students indicates that some schools in Lagos are now adopting the winning entries of this competition as models in their teaching of writing and rhetoric.
    “As we understand it, the drop arises in part from new management strategies introduced by the organisers to ensure that only credible entries are sent in for assessment.
    “Based on the positive feedback and to further the institutionalization of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo Lecture Series, we urge the organisers to put the winning entries in a book form, as had been done to the adult version of lectures, in order to make the materials more portable and accessible to teachers and students.
    “Such a compilation will build capacity and prepare students for a more viable participation in future competitions. More importantly, it will be a unique addition to curriculum materials. We assure you that our winning essays are original materials from gifted students that can function adequately as teaching materials,” the examiner explained.
    Speaking further, the examiner postulated that the teaching of responsible internet usage in secondary school curriculum has become very paramount and of necessity.
    “The fact that almost any material is available and accessible via a click makes a compelling case for us to introduce the teaching of responsible Internet usage in the secondary school curriculum.
    “We recommend a review and expansion of the syllabus of a subject like civic education to include teaching students to understand that plagiarism violates Intellectual Property (IP) rights, and that referencing the literatures they consult as they make their points is a key aspect of their academic development,” the examiner said
    In the first round of the 2019 edition of the competition a total of 612 entries were received from Junior and Senior Secondary Schools across different states of the federation and the Topic was Justice as an Instrument of Enduring Peace in Nation building while the second round topic was Entrenching Tolerance as Solution to Nigeria’s Ethnic and Religious Crises.
    For coming top in this year’s competition, Master Esigbone Omagbemi Ferdinard of Roshallom International Secondary School, Lagos will get a cheque of N100,000, a personal Laptop, a trophy, a plaque, while the school gets three sets of Computer and a printer.
    Miss Oluwaseun Esther Aremu of Shepherd International College Ado-Ekiti who came second will go home with a cheque of N75,000, a plaque and the school will get two sets of computers and a printer.
    For emerging the third position in this year’s competition, Master Adeola Ademuwa Ifeola from Chrisfield College, Itamaga, Ikorodu Lagos 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.
    The prices for the winners of the 16th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools in the country will be presented at this year’s Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, at the Shell Hall Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, on Thursday September 5, 2019.
    The theme for this year’s lecture is “Justice as an Instrument of Enduring Peace in Nation Building”.
    The Lecture will be chaired by Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) while the lecture will be delivered by Barrister Femi Falana (SAN).
    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 16 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 absolute development of mankind in all facet of life, has used the institutionalization of 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 of significant importance to the social-economic development of our nation.
    The essay competition has also contributed towards ICT development in the secondary schools especially in government owned schools.
    Winners have emerged from both governments 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.

  • Entries open for 16th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition

    Entries open for 16th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition

    Entries for the 16th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Nigeria is now open from March 18th to June 7th, 2019.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports organizers of the essay competition made this known in a statement signed by Rev. (Mrs) Oluwayomi Uteh, Group Manager, Operations.

    The topic for this year’s competition is “Justice as an Instrument of Enduring Peace in Nation Building”.

    The entry requirements for the competition 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 school principal.

    Essay could be submitted through email to essay@trem.org or by post to The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) International Headquarters, Obanikoro/Anthony Oke Bus Lagos.

    As with previous years of the competition, the star winner school gets three set of desktop computers and a printer, while the student goes home with a trophy, Laptop, N100,000.00 cash and a plaque.

    The first runner up school gets two set of desktop computers and a printer and the student goes home with a cash prize of N75,000.00 with a plaque.

    The second runner up school gets a desktop computer, while the student gets N50,000.00 cash prize and a plaque.

    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 sensitize the students by making them analytically minded so as to excel in their world by developing their ability to think through issues.

    The competition is also part of activities lined up to mark the 74th 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 20th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, which has been scheduled for Thursday, September 5th, 2019 at the Muson Centre (Shell Hall) by 10.00 am prompt.

     

  • Call for entries: Okonkwo annual essay competition enters 15th edition

    The entries for the 15th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Nigeria opens from March 26th to June 1st, 2018.

    The competition which is one of Dr. Mike Okonkwo’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities, is aimed at raising the standard in the educational sector in the country and at the same time sensitize the students by making them analytically minded so as to excel in their world by developing their ability to think through issues. This National Essay competition is also a part of the activities lined up to mark the 73rd Birthday of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

    The topic for this year’s competition is “Nigeria’s Unity: Matters Arising”.

    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.

    Like previous years, the star winner school gets three sets of desktop computers and a printer, while the student goes home with a trophy, Laptop, plaque and a cash gift of N100,000.00. The first runner up school gets two sets of desktop computers and a printer and the student goes home with a cash prize of N75,000.00 and a plaque. The second runner up school gets a desktop computer, while the student gets a plaque and a cash prize of N50,000.00.

    For participation in the 15th 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. Essay could be submitted through email to essay@trem.org or by post to The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) International Headquarters, Obanikoro/ Anthony-Oke, Bus Stop Lagos.

    Topics handled over the years include: 2004 edition (securing the Nigerian future: improving the standards of education), 2005 edition (building leaders for tomorrow a collective responsibility), 2006 edition (lawlessness and the rule of law in the Nigerian society), 2007 edition (political office and governance: for gain or service?), 2008 edition (the role of the judiciary in sustenance of democracy), 2009 edition (global economic trend: the alternatives for Nigeria), 2010 edition (Nigeria @ 50: its leadership, development and the future), 2011 edition (survival of the Nigerian state: political and economic implications), 2012 edition (dependence of Nigeria economy on crude oil – any alternatives?), 2013 edition (overcoming the Nigerian security challenges: a panacea for national growth and development). In 2014 the topic was (The Power of Your Vote: a catalyst for a stable and united Nigeria), 2015, (The Nigerian Political Class and the Citizens Quest for Good Governance), 2016, (The State of the Nigerian Nation: Redefining our Values) and in 2017 the topic was (Made in Nigeria Products: The Vehicle for Sustainable Development).

    The prizes for this year’s competition will be presented to the winners at the 19th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, which has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 at the Muson Centre (Shell Hall) by 10.00 am prompt. The topic of the Essay Competition is also the topic for this year’s Annual Lecture.

    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 millions in Nigeria and across the globe. He is also the host of ‘Power for the Wise’ a daily devotional program on radio that is transforming lives on a daily basis. 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 the society through donations to hospitals, establishment of free vocational training centres, running free preparatory schools for students in the 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 in the faces of women by providing Shelter to the homeless and also organizes 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. The Essay Competition has contributed in no small measure in encouraging the writing skills of children in secondary school and also to help them become solution providers to the nation.

    In 2012, he was given a National Honor 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.