UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has commenced the 2019 edition of its annual National Essay Competition in Nigeria with a call for entries.
Now in its 9th year, the essay competition, targeted at senior secondary school students in Nigeria is organised annually, as part of UBA Foundation’s education initiative which is aimed at promoting the reading culture and encouraging healthy and intellectual competition amongst secondary school students in Nigeria and across Africa.
l-r: Group Head, Brand Management, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr. Lashe Osoba; Managing Director /CEO, UBA Foundation, Mrs Bola Atta; Group Head, Direct Sales Agency, UBA Plc Ogechi Altraide; and Group Head, Energy and Oil, UBA Plc, Mr. Ebele Ogbue, during the commencement Ceremony for the 2019 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for senior secondary school students in Nigeria held at UBA House on Tuesday
At the media launch which took place at UBA headquarters in Lagos, the call for entries was announced today. Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, said the essay competition, which is in its ninth edition, will provide an opportunity for students in secondary schools across the country to put in their entries and to win prizes in the form of educational grants to study in any university of their choice on the African continent.
Beginning from last year, the prize money increased significantly as the UBA Foundation emphasises that education remains one of the foundation’s key initiatives.
Group Head, Brand Management, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr. Lashe Osoba; English Teacher, Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Mrs Ezechukwu Ngozi; Managing Director/CEO, UBA Foundation, Mrs Bola Atta; Group Head, Direct Sales Agency, UBA Plc, Ogechi Altraide; Group Head, Energy and Oil, UBA Plc, Mr. Ebele Ogbue, during the commencement Ceremony for the 2019 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for senior secondary school students in Nigeria held at UBA House on Tuesday
The first prize for the UBA National Essay Competition is a N2 million educational grant, while the second and third prizes are N1.5 million and N1m educational grants respectively.
Speaking to the students and participants at the event, Bola Atta said, “To us at the Foundation, this is our drive to improve the quality of education across the continent. It is also our way of giving back to the society. The competition is a key aspect of our investment drive in human capital, as we seek to improve knowledge base, allow students to express themselves and write creatively. We will continue to sustain the initiative because education is very important to UBA and we are more than committed to providing the necessary support for students in Nigeria and across the African continent,” she noted.
“We are driven by the mantra to do well and do good and we will not relent in our efforts to touch lives through our various projects, and initiatives,” Bola Atta told the excited students.
Explaining the modalities for the competition, she stated that entries received from students for the competition will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges made up of professors from reputable Nigerian Universities, who will then shortlist 12 best essays for further assessment.
Following this, a second round of the competition will involve the 12 finalists who will write a second supervised essay from which three best essays will be selected as the overall winners from the 12 finalists emerged from the first round of the competition.
Atta explained that the choice of essay for this year’s competition is one that helps promote creative and analytical thinking in students and helps them to be problem solvers. This year, the topic is “What do you think the government should do to control fraud in Nigeria?”
It is important to note that apart from Nigeria, the national essay competition has been taken to other African countries including Ghana and Senegal. More countries including Mozambique and Kenya will kick off the initiative this year. A unique component of this year’s edition is that, schools that turn in the highest number of entries will be recognised and rewarded a special prize by the Foundation.
Group Head, Brand Management, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr. Lashe Osoba; English Teacher, Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Mrs Ezechukwu Ngozi; Managing Director /CEO, UBA Foundation, Mrs Bola Atta; Group Head, Direct Sales Agency, UBA Plc Ogechi Altraide; Group Head, External and Media Relations, UBA Plc, Mr. Ramon Nasir, flanked by students and teachers of some selected secondary schools in Lagos during the commencement Ceremony for the 2019 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for senior secondary school students in Nigeria held at UBA House on Tuesday
Also speaking at the call to entries today, the Group Head, Direct Sales Agency, Ogechi Altraide, who spoke on the benefits of reading and writing essays,motivated the students to research into the topics and give it their best shot, adding that there is the need for them to focus on adapting themselves to happenings in their generation, and to have a growth mindset. This she explained, will ensure that they can apply themselves and conquer whatever challenges they are faced with.
According to her, reading and writing go hand in hand, and so it is important for students to keep abreast of how the economy can develop through reading and writing.
An English teacher from Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Mrs Ezechukwu Ngozi, gave the students tips on how to write good essays, and advised them to keep to the proper tenets of essay writing to come out tops in the competition.
Managing Director /CEO, UBA Foundation, Mrs Bola Atta; Group Head, Direct Sales Agency, United Bank for Africa(UBA)Plc, Mrs Ogechi Altraide; Group Head, Brand Management, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr. Lashe Osoba, flanked by students of some selected secondary schools in Lagos during the commencement Ceremony for the 2019 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for senior secondary school students in Nigeria held at UBA House on Tuesday
As the CSR platform for the UBA Group, UBA Foundation embodies the Group’s CSR objectives and seeks to impact positively on societies through a number of laudable projects and initiatives.
Each year, the bank donates thousands of books to students in Nigeria and across Africa, under the ‘Read Africa’ initiative to encourage and promote the reading culture in secondary schools.
The Rivers State Police Command said its men rescued a businessman identified as Julius Madabuchi, who was kidnapped by a four-man gang at a filling station in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The police said the man was abducted when the miscreants who were driving in a Black Toyota car stormed the area and started shooting discriminately before executing their plan.
The rescue of the man, the police said, followed a distress call sent to the command control room about the activities of the hoodlums on November 17 and immediately mobilised operatives to the scene, saying the abductors engaged the police in a shootout.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, on Wednesday.
The statement reads, “On the 17th of November, 2014, at about 2023hrs, operatives of the command received a distress call from the Room indicating that a gang of armed men numbering about four operating in a Black colour Toyota Corolla car shot sporadically and kidnapped one Madabuchi Julius at Sabbath Filling Station, Oyigbo.
“Operatives were swiftly mobilised to the scene and the hoodlums on sighting the police operatives drove off, but they were given a hot chase by the operatives and subsequently intercepted along Egbu Street, Oyigbo and a gun duel ensued between the operatives and the hoodlums.
“The hoodlums could not withstand the police’s superior firepower and eventually abandoned the victim and their operational vehicle with registration number RIVERS PHC 938 AH and escaped. The victim was rescued unhurt and the vehicle recovered. He has since reunited with his family.”
The state police image maker however said an investigation is ongoing while concerted efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover their operational weapons.
In a related development, Iringe-Koko said the following day, precisely on Monday, operatives of the command acted on credible information, coordinated a covert operation at the St Lorinta Street, Oyigbo and arrested one Gabriel Morris, aged 25, at Mercy Ground in Kom-Kom, Oyigbo LGA of the State.
The state police spokesperson stated, “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a syndicate that had been terrorising Oyigbo and its environs in recent times.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, listed items recovered from the suspect including one locally made pistol and a quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
She added, “Investigation is ongoing, while concerted efforts are intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
“This successful operation further demonstrates the effectiveness of the Rivers State Police Command in combating kidnapping and all other forms of crime in the state.”
“Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small-Prudent Ludidi
Today, I want to talk about something incredibly important, yet often overlooked: celebrating our wins. Yes, you heard that right – celebrating our wins, no matter how small.
We live in a world that constantly pushes us to achieve more, be more, and do more. We’re always striving for the next goal, the next milestone, the next achievement. And while ambition is great, it’s equally important to acknowledge and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Think about it. How often do you achieve something amazing, only to dismiss it as “not a big deal” or “just part of your job”? How often do you downplay your successes or attribute them to luck rather than your hard work and dedication?
Here’s the thing: every win, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. Every achievement, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is a testament to your strength, resilience, and determination.
Celebrating your wins does several things. Firstly, it boosts your confidence and self-esteem. When you acknowledge your achievements, you remind yourself of your capabilities and potential.
Secondly, celebrating your wins helps you stay motivated and focused. By recognizing your progress, you’re more likely to stay committed to your goals and keep pushing forward.
Thirdly, celebrating your wins fosters a positive mindset. When you focus on what you’ve achieved, rather than dwelling on what’s still to be done, you cultivate gratitude, happiness, and contentment.
So, how can you start celebrating your wins?
Start small. Write down three things you’ve accomplished each day before bed. Share your achievements with a friend or family member. Treat yourself to something special.
Celebrate the tiny victories: finishing a difficult project, trying a new recipe, or simply making it through a tough day.
Celebrate the milestones: landing a new job, running a marathon, or graduating from college.
And celebrate the moments in between: learning a new skill, making a new connection, or taking a much-needed break.
Remember, celebrating your wins isn’t about being arrogant or boastful. It’s about acknowledging your hard work and dedication. It’s about recognizing your worth and value.
Don’t wait until you’ve achieved something “big” to celebrate. Celebrate every win, no matter how small. Celebrate every achievement, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
You are worthy of recognition. You are worthy of celebration. And you are worthy of acknowledging your own strength and resilience!
“IMF’s Bold Advice to Nigeria: How to Fix Economic Reforms and Win Public Trust” By Achimi Muktar
As frustration mounts across Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African nations undergoing tough economic reforms, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stepped in with recommendations aimed at reshaping the narrative. These suggestions focus on addressing the growing civil discontent and turning public opposition into support for reforms critical to stabilizing their economies.
The IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa report highlights “adjustment fatigue” gripping nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Kenya, where reform measures have triggered social unrest and resistance. In Nigeria, particularly, protests and labour strikes have erupted in response to policies like petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange deregulation.
However, the IMF believes a path forward exists—one that involves rethinking reform strategies and engaging citizens more effectively.
The Call for Strategic Rethink
In the report, the IMF emphasizes the need for reform strategies that foster inclusivity and public trust while maintaining momentum for economic recovery. “Realizing this opportunity requires rethinking reform strategies to build and maintain pro-growth coalitions among leaders and the general public,” the report states.
The IMF outlined key pillars for successful reform implementation:
Broad-Based Engagement: Governments must actively involve citizens through two-way dialogue, creating a sense of ownership for reforms among the population, businesses, and civil society.
Transparent Communication: Policymakers should clearly articulate the benefits of reforms, the risks of inaction, and the compensatory measures being implemented. This approach, according to the IMF, will counter misinformation and rebuild trust.
Partnerships with Influencers: Engaging parliamentarians, community leaders, and independent experts can amplify reform messaging and provide credible advocacy for change.
Targeted Social Support: Implementing safety nets like retraining programs and job assistance for those hit hardest by reforms can reduce resistance and ease the social cost of change.
Sequenced Reforms: Staggering reforms over time to prevent overwhelming citizens and prioritizing initiatives with immediate, tangible benefits will help win public support.
Rebuilding Trust in Institutions: Strengthening governance, improving transparency, and tackling corruption are essential to ensure that reforms are seen as credible and effective.
The Nigerian Reality
Nigeria’s reform agenda has been met with resistance from citizens grappling with higher living costs and reduced public services. Labour unions have staged strikes, and civil society groups have accused the government of failing to provide adequate safety nets for vulnerable populations.
The IMF acknowledges these challenges but insists that success hinges on trust and inclusivity. “Opinion surveys indicate that trust in the government’s ability to use public resources to promote the population’s well-being is still relatively low in many Sub-Saharan African countries,” the report notes.
The IMF also warns that reforms without complementary measures—such as job creation and social inclusion policies—risk perpetuating social frustration and undermining long-term economic stability.
Turning Pain into Gains
While reforms are painful, the IMF underscores their necessity for unlocking durable and inclusive growth. “As painful as the current policy choices are, deeper and broader reforms will be required to guarantee that countries reap the gains, and not just the pain, of reform,” the report states.
The Fund advises African leaders to demonstrate upfront wins, such as improved infrastructure, better service delivery, and robust economic policies, to galvanize public confidence in the reform process.
The Bigger Picture
The IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook serves as a roadmap for Sub-Saharan Africa’s policymakers, navigating a delicate balance between fiscal adjustments and social harmony. For Nigeria, the report presents an opportunity to recalibrate its approach, engage its citizens meaningfully, and deliver reforms that prioritize the welfare of the people.
By rethinking reform strategies and implementing the IMF’s recommendations, Nigeria could not only weather its current challenges but emerge as a stronger and more inclusive economy. The onus, however, lies with the government to prove that these reforms are for the collective good and not just a painful necessity.
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