Tag: Mike Okonkwo

  • 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.

     

  • Winners of 2018 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition emerge

    Winners of 2018 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition emerge

    Miss Onitilo Deborah of New Chrisfield College, Ikorodu Lagos has been announced as the overall winner of the 2018 Mike Okonkwo national essay competition for secondary school students in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Deborah emerged overall winner having scored 63% in the first round of the competition and 52% in the second round of the competition.

    While Miss Ashley Davidson of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Ikeja emerged second having scored 62% in the first round and 49% in the second round, Master Esigbone Omagbemi Ferdinand of Roshallom International Secondary School, Lagos came third, scoring 60% in the first round and 47% in the second round.

    Another winner that emerged is Miss Fagbemi Semilore Ireoluwa of Roshallom International School, Lagos.

    According to the Chief Examiner, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, “After a painstaking scrutiny, we adjudged only four as suitable for invitation to the second stage of the competition, which is basically a confirmatory procedure to verify the integrity of the original submission”.

    “The content and structure of the four entries, we must say, are just sufficient to enable the candidates to score grades within the ‘B’ range. The implication of this is that the verve, creativity and imagination that we have seen in past performances are beginning to whittle down, even though enthusiasm to take part continues to rise,” the Chief Examiner further stated.

    According to Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, “The entries for 2018 are characterized by the usual infractions such as confirmed incidences of plagiarism or direct lifting of materials from Internet repositories, copying from textbooks and other printed sources, proven cases of collaboration among candidates and evidence that candidates might have received help from either of their teachers or parents”.

    “The infractions are easily detected because the candidates use language above their educational stations. In many cases, we verified originality of entries by conducting a simple Internet check and found many containing significant portions of existing works,” the Chief Examiner said.

    Based on the above, Prof. Akachi mentioned that “As the Internet and android phones have become basic infrastructures of knowledge production and transmission, our children must now be made to understand that there are regulations concerning the extent to which they can claim materials domiciled in those spaces of learning”.

    “They need to be taught early enough how much they can extract from existing materials without infringing on copyright rules.

    “We recommend that rudimentary lessons on the rules of proper writing, how to acknowledge the materials consulted and the consequences of plagiarism should form part of the curriculum of senior secondary school.

    “Learning these rules early enough will ensure they do not develop and carry with them the habit of lifting materials from the Internet to higher institutions,” said Prof. Akachi.

    According to Rev. (Mrs.) Oluwayomi Uteh, Group Manager, Operations of Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition, for coming top in this year’s competition, Miss Onitilo Deborah will get a cheque of N100,000, a personal laptop, a trophy, a plaque; while her school gets three sets of computer and a printer.

    Accordingly, while Miss Ashley Davidson, who came second goes home with a cheque of N75,000 and a plaque, and her school gets two sets of computer and a printer; for emerging the third position in this year’s competition, Master Esigbone Omagbemi Ferdinand goes home with a cheque of N50,000, a plaque, and his school gets a computer set.

    The consolation winner gets a consolation price of N20,000.

    According to the Operations Group Manager of the competition, the prices for the winners of the 15th 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 Wednesday September 5, 2018.

    The theme for this year’s lecture is “Nigeria’s Unity: Matters Arising”.

    The Lecture will be chaired by Chief John Nnia Nwodo, President General, Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo World-wide 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 15 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.

     

  • 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.

     

  • I once asked God to kill me – Pastor Adeboye

    I once asked God to kill me – Pastor Adeboye

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, popularly known as Daddy G. O., has said there was a time he asked God to kill him, if God will not empower him with enough anointing for his pastoral work.

    The popular man of God made this statement in a message on the Thursday night being the fourth day of the 2016 Holy Ghost Congress held at the Redemption Camp Ground of the RCCG, Ogun state, Nigeria.

    Pastor Adeboye who is alive and kicking, while talking on the message “Before the Call,” said he told God sometime in the past that if God would not answer him, He should take his life.

    “It is either you answer me or you call me home now,” Pastor Adeboye recounted he told God.

    Pastor Adeboye, who said there is a difference between reading the Bible to write WAEC or NECO examinations, and reading the Bible as someone who knows God, said the more he studied the Bible, the more he understood God answers prayers.

    In his message, the Bishop of The Redeem Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo said the youths of the nation Nigeria are very strategic to make things happen in Nigeria and indeed the world.

    Lamenting how the value system of the country has been eroded, Bishop Okonkwo called on the young adults to channel their youthful energy positively.

    He said instead of youths to be distracted by the social media, he urged them to utilize the platform for positive engagements, and take over the world for Christ.

    Pastor Adeboye rounded off his message with prophetic prayers for his congregants.

    The Holy Ghost Congress which started on Monday will end on Saturday, 10 December 2016.

    Also read: Holy Ghost Congress: American citizen seeks divine intervention for the US.