A
student of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State, Miss Iremide Ogunyemi,
has won N2 million cash, a publishing deal worth N2 million and another N2
million to upgrade her school’s library after emerging the star prize winner of
the inaugural edition of the Fidelity Bank organized Read2Lead writing
competition. This was disclosed at the competition’s prize presentation event
held in Lagos over the weekend.
Welcoming
guests to the event, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, the Executive Director of South
Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc, who represented Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, the
bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, said the initiative was
created to unlock the creative potentials of students and help them become
better positioned for successful careers.
“All over the world, young people are driving change through innovation and Nigeria is no exception. As a Bank, we believe in the transformative power of education in changing the fortunes of any nation. It is this belief that led us to organize the Read2Lead initiative. By fostering the fundamental yet crucial skill of reading and writing from a young age, we aim to empower children to face academic challenges confidently and solve life problems skillfully.
“The
Read2Lead initiative, therefore, encapsulates our approach to instilling a
culture of reading and writing among young people. As highlighted by the
esteemed American journalist, critic, and social reformer, Margaret Fuller,
"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader"; we believe that igniting our
youths’ imagination early can unlock their potential and set them on a path to
success”, explained Onyeali-Ikpe.
The
prize presentation ceremony had in attendance the representative of the Ogun
State Commissioner of Education, management staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, the top
30 students from the competition, their parents, teachers, colleagues and media
personalities.
“When
I started, I didn’t know I would emerge a finalist in the competition. I just
decided to participate because I love writing. This was the first competition
that I saw that asked for a fictional essay. As that is what I like, I decided
to write. I want to thank Fidelity Bank for coming up with this initiative as
it is a really good and creative competition”, disclosed an elated Miss
Ogunyemi.
In
a surprising twist of events, Miss Mfeheke Okoko and Miss Daniella Orji, also
of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State, took home cash prizes for
N1.5million and N1million for emerging the first and second-runners up
respectively in the competition which saw students from across Nigeria compete
in three phases of writing challenges.
In
the first stage of the initiative, tagged, “The National Writing Showdown”,
over 3,000 students were tasked with a creative writing task for a spot among
the top 150 writers.
|
| L – R: Winner, Miss Iremide Ogunyemi of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State; and Executive Director, South Business, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; at the prize presentation ceremony of the Fidelity Bank-organised Read2Lead Writing Competition held in Lagos recently. |
In
the second stage known as “The Sweeta Writing Mastery”, the top 150
participants were given a novel to read and requested to write an alternate ending for the book for chance
to join the top 30 finalists.
In
the third and final stage themed, “The Author's Workshop”, the top 30 students
were enrolled in an immersive writing boot camp anchored by experienced writers
and facilitators who selected the top three finalists.
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