Twelve students from across six geo-political zones in Nigeria have emerged winners of the 1st National Green Essay Competition for Secondary Schools.
The competition, which was organised by the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun in association with Channels Book Club as part of her contribution towards educating the youths on environmental issues and sustainability, produced young talented students who are now being described as Ambassadors of Green Education For The Youth (GEFTY).
The winners include Fadipe Isabella Oluwadamilola, Fatima Aliyu-Gebi, Ann Enjoyo Austin, Akudinobi Kasarachi, Igwe Chinaza, Judith Hassan, Sule O Nathan¸ Amadi Sarima Kyna, Agboola Daniel, Ramos Ayomide, and Ibitokun Oluwanifemi.
Speaking during the grand finale of the competition at the Progress Hall, South-West Resource Centre in Abeokuta, Mrs. Amosun explained that the aim of the competition was to encourage Nigerian youths to work towards sustaining the environment to reverse the current adverse effects of climate change.
She congratulated the winners of the essay competition, saying her Uplift Development Foundation will continue to engage in human capital development among children and youths to promote reading culture that would help improve educational standard in the country, thereby contributing to national development.
The governor’s wife added that her green advocacy strategies would include the Green Empowerment for the Youth (GEFTY), describing youths as vibrant, adaptable, mobile and upward moving. She also hinted of her plan to organise a Green Youth Conference to educate youths on green culture.
In his remarks the coordinator of the competition, Mr. Kunle Kasumu of Channels Television said there were over 200 entries for the essay in which 40 students were selected for the final rounds, urging the candidates to take opportunity of the offer provided by the wife of the governor by putting in their best in their subsequent human endeavours.