Winners have emerged in the third edition of the UBA National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria .

In a keenly contested competition, 15 years old Master Ezenwa Joseph Okonkwo, a student of Ambol Comprehensive High School, Akesan-Igando, Lagos, won the coveted prize of N1m educational grant, from nearly 2000 entries received across the country.

Toluwase Adeagbo of Sharon Rose Schools College , Saki and Korie Ijeoma Jennifer of Air Force Secondary School, Port Harcourt emerged first and second runner ups, winning N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

Speaking during the grand finale and prize presentation held at the bank’s headquarters, Alhaji Alkali Mohammed, President Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) commended UBA Foundation for the initiative and urged other institutions to emulate the educational initiative.

According to the ICAN President, the path towards sustainable development is through investment in the education of its youths, particularly in Nigeria.

Harping on the ideals behind the essay contest he said “any competition such as this will certainly help to bring out the best in the youths, by kindling their competitive spirit and academic excellence”

Also speaking, UBA Deputy Managing Director,Kennedy Uzoka, explained that the initiative was not only to test the aptitude and knowledge of the  students but has become a pipeline to groom future UBA Ambassadors.

He said the winners who would go to any university of their choice in Africa would remain part of the UBA family provided they are of good behavior and remain focused.

Conceived 3 years ago, the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition was instituted as a follow up to the Read Africa initiative of the Foundation. “Winners each year receive educational grants to study in any university of their choice in Africa . We are encouraged to continue to do this and touch the lives of our children by so doing” he stated.

The 12 finalists received a laptop as a consolation prize for getting to the final of the competition.