Winners emerge in maiden Babatunde Edu essay contest

A four hundred level student in the Department of Architecture, Federal University of Agriculture Akure (FUTA), Ademola David, has won the maiden Babatunde Edu Essay Competition.

The 20-year-old beat 39 others to the star prize of N100,000 in the contest organised by the Babatunde Edu Foundation for youths attending the Lagos Mainland Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

The programme, which is geared at developing the reading culture, writing skills, Anglican spirituality and theological reflection of the contestants, was staged in memory of the late governorship candidate of the Nigeria People’s Party (NPP) in the second republic.

The grand finale of the competition, organised for students of secondary schools and tertiary institutions aged 17 to 25, also saw Mesoma Agazu and Madu Ogechukwu going home with N50,000 and N30,000 as first and second runners-up.

According to the convener and diocesan priest, Rev. Jaiyeola Edu, the contest also seeks to unravel the deceased’s favorite question, “Is social media a hindrance to the formation of discipleship among youths?”

In her remarks, one of the judges and Junior School Coordinator, Corona Schools Trust Council, Mrs. Nora Jegede, decried the lack of reading culture among youths.

John Delano of Akindelano Legal Practitioners urged the youths to imbibe the culture of reading to improve their writing skills.The author of many books, said writing was an important aspect of life, as it helps keep records of event. He urged youths to engage in regular writing to build them for future contests.Other judges included the Justice of Nigeria Legal System and member, Board of Corona Schools, Justice Bukola Adebiyi and Rev. Edu.