Corps member wins ₦5m in national essay competition

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Atoyebi Adewumi, has won the fourth edition of the National Essay Competition, receiving a cash prize of ₦5 million.

Adewumi emerged winner at the competition’s grand finale in Abuja, where she called on the government to support individuals and organisations promoting education and intellectual development.

Speaking after the competition, she commended the convener for creating a platform that encourages young Nigerians to develop their intellectual abilities.

Foluso Sylvanus, the convener of the competition, stressed the need for greater investment in young Nigerians interested in education, critical thinking and writing.

He argued that academic competitions deserved more financial support and recognition, similar to the attention and prizes given to entertainment programmes.

“There was a reality show this year that they gave the winner N250 million. I don’t see a reason why we cannot encourage those who are going to school. Those who are learning, those who are reading in such way too,” Sylvanus said.

He urged the government, corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations to support initiatives that promote learning and intellectual development.

Nurudeen Abdurrahman Rafindadi, chairman of the occasion, also congratulated the finalists, commending them for demonstrating the courage to think critically, question ideas and articulate their views.

Oguntodu Ayomide and Oni-Titilope Dorcas emerged as the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The competition highlights the importance of providing platforms that recognise young Nigerians for their writing abilities and encourage greater investment in education and critical thinking.