Bayelsa blessed with talents- Education Commissioner
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, has charged youth in the State to embrace programmes and activities that will help them harness their potential.
Dr. Emelah, who was speaking at the prize presentation to winners of the 6th edition of the Online Essay Contest organised by the Office of the Director, New Media to the Bayelsa State Governor, said the emergence of these winners was a testimony to the fact that the State is blessed with great talents.
The essay with the topic ‘’Bayelsa International Airport: Creating a new economic reality, had a total of 121 entries from Bayelsa undergraduates from different tertiary institutions across the country with Mr. Ikumoinein Michael Woyengikule, a 500-Level Medical student of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma emerging as champion.
Dr. Emelah, who commended the effort of the Director, New Media, Dr. Kola Oredipe, for the initiative, described the programme as a step in the right direction towards channeling the minds of the youth to a tasking venture.
” Let me advise the winners to see the programme as moral booster and a stepping stone for greatness and also spur you to do more in making the State and your families proud”.
In an address, the initiator of the quarterly online essay contest, Dr. Oredipe, said the competition was geared towards connecting the young Bayelsa undergraduates to the prosperity administration to enable them contribute their quota to the development of the State.
“We looked at the fact that a lot of the undergraduates are active on the social media. So, instead of just making social post, we seized the platform to engage them in activities that could turn around their fortunes and make them more productive. This is prosperity as the winners also get cash rewards”, Oredipe stated.
While stressing that the programme was yielding the desired result, Dr. Oredipe, appreciated Governor Diri, for his continuous support to this initiative and charged the winners to continue to be good ambassadors of the State.
One of the judges in the competition, Dr. Sophia Obi, said 121 entries were received while only 53 entries adhered to the rules of the contest.
Dr. Obi said those who made the final list were carefully selected based on the set criteria.
Those who emerged winners were, Ikumoinein Michael Woyengikule (1st) Chiefson Ebikabo-Owei (2nd position), Ipigansi Susan Odidia (3rd), Bekeowei Oko Florence (4th) and George Isivie Esther (5th position).
The overall winner received a cash prize of N200,000.00, second position received N100,000.00, third placed got the sum of N50,000.00 while the 4th and 5th placed received consolation prizes.
Responding, the champion, Mr. Ikumoinein Michael Woyengikule, appreciated Governor Diri, for approving such an initiative that rewards them with cash prizes and applauded Dr. Oredipe, for ensuring efficiency and transparency in the organisation of the online essay contest.
