Miss Emediong Uduak Uko, 15, of the British Nigerian Academy, Abuja has won the prize of N1m in education grant from the United Bank of Africa, UBA.
Emediong who beat over 3,326 contestants in the National Essay Competitions emerged the overall best. Though, having a natural ability for writing, she aspires to be a medical doctor.
Miss Starish Ugie-Oritse-Ete Enonuya of The Lagoon School, Lagos and Eze Ugochinyere of Golden of Living Word Academy School, Aba, Abia State, emerged first and second runner up respectively, winning N750,000 and N500,000 in education grants.
UBA’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, praised the twelve finalists, describing all as winners. He presented a laptop as consolation prize to each of the twelve finalists. In his speech at the prize-giving event, he sought to show the importance of reading, and corporate social responsibility when he said:
Reading is essential to broaden your knowledge and most importantly, youths should maintain self-discipline
The competition which started in 2011 in Nigeria has also been extended to Ghana and Senegal which has also produced winners in the last few years.
The UBA Foundation believes in sustainability, and in supporting the environment where we operate, and that is why we have earmarked a certain percentage of our profit to this end.
In the closing remarks, he vowed that the bank will remain committed to dedicating resources towards grooming world leaders, stressing that UBA believes so much in the youth. and their ultimate success.