By Magnus Emuji/ Rukevwe Adugbo
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State final of the maiden edition of Prof. Sam Ukala Essay Writing Competition for Public and Private Secondary Schools in the state has been held in Asaba.
The essay writing competition was organised by Delta State Government (DTSG) in collaboration with Prof. Sam Ukala Foundation in honour of the literary icon who was a Professor in the Theatre Arts Department, Delta State University, Abraka.
At the end of the competition at the Local Government stage, the three best Students from each Local Government Area were selected to participate in the State final.
Among the schools whose students participated in the final included Mother of Perpetual H/G, Issele-Uku , Martin College, Issele-Uku, Aunty Bose Group of School, Ogwuashi-Uku, Divine Love College, Ubulu-Uku, Peniel Academy and New Hope Group of School in Aniocha North and South Local Government Areas respectively.
Others were Peniel Academy, Owanta Secondary School, Owa Model Secondary School, Owa in Ika North East Local Government Area as well Ogbemudein Model Secondary School, St. Columbus G/S, and Dein Palace Secondary School, all in Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area.
Similarly, secondary schools in Oshimili North that took part in the state final included Unity Secondary School, Akwukwu-igbo Grammar School, and Faith Academy, Ugbolu while the schools from Oshimili South were Victory Baptist Secondary School, St. Patrick’s College, and Isioma Onyeobi College all in Asaba.
Meanwhile, the Prize/Award Presentation Ceremony to the first, second and third best Students would hold on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Chike Edozie’s Secretariat, Asaba.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Prof. Sam Ukala Foundation, Hon. Olise Sam Ukala said that the essay writing competition was organised in honour of his father and specifically to identify as well as reward the best literary students.
Hon. Olise Ukala, who advised the students to be resilient and committed to their studies at all times by embracing the reading culture, added that the best instrument to change the world was through reading and writing.
He described the late Prof. Ukala as an all-rounder who practiced, believed, and taught literary studies, saying that he won over 500 literary awards.
