Franklin Martin a 16 year old SS3 student of Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, had Yesterday 25 August, 2017, won a one million Naira cash p...
Franklin Martin a 16 year old SS3 student of Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, had Yesterday 25 August, 2017, won a one million Naira cash prize for essay contest organised for Senior Secondary Schools in Bayelsa.
Martins came first among other 10 selected writers from public and private schools at the finals.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition, organised by an NGO, Robert Sunday Iworiso (RSI) Foundation, was to encourage creative writing amongst the youth in the state.
The topic for the competition was captioned “Education as imperative for National Development for global relevance.”
Acording to NAN reports the second position went to Tamara Ayameiya of Biedomo Premier School, Yenagoa with a N250,000 while the third position went to Blessing Tari of Tari-pet International School, Yenagoa who received N150,000.
Martins in his thankful words stateed that.
“I am very thrilled and thankful to God and the organizer for this huge opportunity and for taking a huge financial burden off my parents, especially at this trying time.
“I believe the money will be judiciously used, especially on my education as I move on to the next levels and to the university,” he said.
The Director of the Foundation, Mr John Iworiso said the competition was to discover and nurture gifted students in the state.
"The competition is one of the several ways through which we hope to discover untapped talents from the creeks and farmlands of Bayelsa to the rest of the world.
“It is important to state that, with all that has befallen us as a people; education remains the key to the survival and liberation to the Niger-Delta region.
"I urge you to continue to learn how to write as we make plans to make it an annual event for SSS 3 students,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Mr Michael Afenfia, praised the students for their outstanding performance, saying.
“Every student who sent in an entry is a winner. It shows that he or she is confident about his or her writing skill.
“For those that did not win, I will say do not be discouraged. Take it as a challenge to perfect your writing and enter for the competition again in the next edition.'
Also Mr Bina Illagha, Bayelsa Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), urged students across the state to tap and key into the opportunity to build their career.
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