A former governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has stated that quality education is essential for nurturing the next generation of leaders in the state and the country.

Lulu-Briggs lamented that the high cost of education has widened the gap between the rich and the poor, calling on well-meaning individuals to support the government in ensuring that every child, regardless of background, receives quality education.

The former governorship candidate made this statement at the finals of the first edition of the Education Champions League (ECL) for secondary schools in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

According to him, educating future leaders should be the paramount responsibility of the government and other stakeholders for a better society.

Lulu-Briggs, a major sponsor of the ECL, stressed the need for a secure future for the state and nation through a qualitative education system.

He said: “I need every one of us, including the government, to understand the importance of educating the next generation because, as a government, you have no greater responsibility than to educate the next generation.”

“We all must rise to the pressing challenge of providing quality education for all. Our government must be supported and encouraged to succeed in building within each of us a sense of a common future. We all desire the same things and share the same aspirations, so everyone deserves a fair chance at success in this race of life,” he added.

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While congratulating the competition winners, Lulu-Briggs expressed regret that society no longer prioritises activities that impact the public positively. He pledged continued support for the competition and announced plans to expand it to local communities. “We must promote this competition because there is no reason why shows like Big Brother should attract so many prizes while intellectual competitions like this receive little attention,” he said.

Adokiye Tombomieye, a former Group Managing Director of NNPCL Upstream and co-sponsor of the competition, also spoke at the event, highlighting the competition’s role in grooming future leaders for the state and the country.

He said: “What I have seen here in the last two hours gives me hope for this country. These children were given a task, and they have delivered impressively. If we entrust them with leadership, I believe they can excel.”

Tombomieye urged guests to give back to their alma maters by sponsoring academic activities and encouraging participation in the Port Harcourt Education Champions League.

One of the competition organisers, Wenenda Wali, explained that the event was designed to foster unity and promote a reading culture among secondary school students.

He stressed that the organisers are committed to expanding the competition to local communities and called for greater support and participation. Wali added that the competition is open to all schools in the state.

Government Girls Secondary School, Abuloma, emerged as the winner, taking home a prize of N10 million. Seacrest Preparatory School came second with a prize of N5 million, Aladumo International School secured third place with N2.5 million, while Enitona High School finished fourth and received a consolation prize of N1.5 million.