Osun Govt Presents Cash Prizes, Other Gifts To Winners Of 60th Independence Day Essay Competition

…As Oyetola Promises To Sustain The Programme

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday re-emphasised the need for governments at all levels to invest in Education as pivot to sustainable growth and development in the society.

The Governor believes that the move will breed talents and be a major force in Nigeria’s pathway to prosperity.

Oyetola, stated this in Osogbo, at the presentation of prizes to winners of the 60th Independence Day Essay Competition organized by the Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties titled “Moving Ahead Post Corona Virus Pandemic – Impacts and Prospects of COVID -19 On Economy.”

Represented by his Deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi, the Governor said the state is ready to initiate programmes and policies that will showcase its potentials while adding value to the citizenry.

He expressed his readiness to support the sustainability of the programme to aid competition and as well motivate the upcoming generation.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Engr Olalekan Badmus saluted the commitment of the participants to the programme targeted at rewarding academic excellence.

Badmus noted that 20 finalists were shortlisted from the 756 entries for the essay from 40 participating institution. He explained that the competition is geared towards fulfilling Governor Oyetola’s mandate in making the education sector the toast of others in the country.

“The ministry was created for innovation. We are glad that these set of participants have distinguished themselves in the field of academics. We want the world to know that those who excel in their academics deserve to be honoured too. We want to make this a platform where students will excel and win big to encourage others to face their studies.”

Speakers at the event including the Head of Service, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade, Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Yemi Lawal, Dr Lasisi Olagunju among others stressed the need for students to always strive hard to be pacesetters in academics and other fields of endeavour.

The front line journalist and Saturday Editor of Saturday Tribune, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju charged youths in the country to always be focussed in their various engagements to be able to influence their immediate environments.

The Editor who was one of the panelists at the price presentation of the 60th independence day Essay competition, added that, being focussed of individuals would equip them and get them prepared for the reality of life.

Olagunju who pointed out that ability to speak or write alone could not determine the progress of ones in life, charged younger ones in the society to be determined and optimistic to be able to define their scopes in life and at the same time face their challenges squarely.

He, however, commended those who participated in the exercise and charged them to maintain tempo saying, they should also try their best to add values to their fellow human beings.

While appealing to local government chairmen present at the occasion to emulate state government on the Essay competition by organising such in their respective localities, the media guru said, by so doing, young ones would be motivated towards pacesetting achievements in life.

Abosede Oyinlola, a 23-year-old 500 level Chemical Engineering Student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, came first in the competition winning a Laptop, N300,000, a plot of land, a Router.

In second place was Stella Ademuyin from Adeleke University, Ede who went home with a Laptop, N150,000, Samsung J6 Phone, Airtel mi-fi while Sheriff Adelu from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife came third carting away a Tablet, N100,000, Samsung J6 Phone and a Imose BamII Phone among other prizes.

Other Seventeen participants went home with a sum N25, 000 each .