The Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE said it has taken the lead to champion the integration of financial literacy in Nigeria, just as Miss Onuh Chiamaka Sophie from Nikkyt High School, Aba, Abia emerged as winner of the 2014 NSE essay competition.

File photo: The floor of Stock exchange

Speaking during the presentation of the award of the NSE essay competition, Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Offier of the exchange, said “ We are boosting

financial inclusion in Nigeria by enhancing investor education and financial literacy. We are taking the lead in championing the integration of financial literacy in Nigeria.

Through 200 free capacity building workshops, approximately 16,000 retail investors from the grassroots can now make better investment decisions.

The NSE was able to directly reach over 600 students from over 20 secondary and primary schools with an indirect effect on about 3,000 young people across our operating environment.”

He further disclosed that the NSE is now a member of the National Financial Literacy Steering Committee that is working towards a coordinated approach to enhancing financial literacy in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the second position of the 2014 NSE essay competition was Miss Ejike Blessing Mbilite from Beth Roots Model Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State, while third position went to Master, Onmonya Prince Dan from Mount Saint Gabriel’ Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue State.

While addressing participants at the grand finale of the essay competition, Onyema said

“We are particularly thrilled at being able to support and foster sound financial literacy amongst our youth. This competition over the years has received entries from over 5,000 secondary schools across Nigeria.

The 2014 winners have been chosen through a rigorous judging process by capital market professionals who have evaluated the participants understanding of the topic and their expression of investment ideas in an essay form.