6th Edition: Love Afodu Standard School, Kpakiama Secondary School Emerge Winners of Comrade Sheriff Mulade Inter-LGAs Quiz and Essay Competition

Love Afodu Standard School in Igbide, Isoko South Local government Area of Delta State has emerged winners of the 6th Edition of Comrade Sheriff Mulade inter-LGA Quiz & Essay competition organized for secondary schools in Delta State.

The competition which was organized by Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ in collaboration with Chief Sheriff Mulade Foundation sponsored by other partners had 14 Schools in participation at the Federal Government College Warri, with dignitaries from the Delta State government, CIEs, NUTs, CSOs and LGA chairmen.

The National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, Comrade Mulade, in his speech said, the annual Inter-LGA competition is aimed at bridging the gap between riverine areas, rural schools and their urban counterpart so that the coastal schools can have a full taste of what they have been denied in terms of academic competition and exposure.

The peace Ambassador while speaking on peaceful coexistence in Delta state said the competition is an opportunity to promote and sustain the existing peace among the ethnic nationalities in the Communities within the selected region by promoting the love that exist particularly Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo and Isoko ethnic groups.

He appealed to State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Governors in the South-South Region and Nigerians in general to pay more attention to the improvement of the Education sector by promoting Rural and Riverine Education to achieve SDG 4, Quality Education.

While congratulating the winners, Chief Mulade who is the Ibe Sorimowei of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West LGA of Delta State appealed to stakeholders across government, International Oil Companies (IOCs) and others in the private sectors “to pay more attention to the improvement of the education sector and to promote rural and riverine education” so that Nigeria can “meet up with the pace of global advancement in technology, as seen in civilized countries.”

The quiz competition which was for Junior Secondary (JSS) classes 1 to 3, had, Love Afodu Standard School, Isoko South LGA emerge as the winners, while Gbesa Grammar School, Ojobo, Burutu LGA, and Iwere College, Koko, Warri North LGA, both emerged as 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Other schools which participated in the quiz competition were; Government Model Secondary School, Patani; Erejuwa II Grammar School, Warri South; Evans International School, Isoko North; Ogbe-Ijoh Grammar School, Warri South-West. Meanwhile Akugbene Grammar School, Burutu, billed for the competition, was absent.

In the essay competition for Senior Secondary (SS) classes 1 to 3, Rudolph Abraham from Kpakiama Secondary School, Bomadi, scored 36 points to clinch the 1st prize, while Jolomi Stephani from Beach Secondary School, Warri North, and Odaderia Oloroghene from Oproza Grammar School, Patani, both scored 20 and 19 points to clinch the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.

Other participants in the essay competition were Eyimsan Isaye from Atuwatse II College, Warri South; Etareri Precious from Kokodiagbene Model Secondary School, Warri South-West; and George Precious from Burutu Grammar School, Burutu.

Scholarship was also offered to Young Efiri Trustgod of Gbesa grammar School Ojobo, Burutu Local Government Area for his exceptional performers during the quiz competition.

Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu who was represented by Prince Alekwe Theophilus, CIE, Warri South LGA, commended Mulade and members of CEPEJ for well organized quiz and essay competition.

He stated that; “The competition has helped to foster unity, peaceful coexistence and demonstrated that even if you have little you can contribute to education. Students should use this opportunity to study hard”.

Mrs. Omagbemi, Mercy, CIE, Warri South-West, commended and encouraged Comrade Mulade Sheriff to carry on with the wonderful education project which focuses on rural and riverine schools.

She said what Chief Mulade is doing, shows that education is a reality, not a scam, stating that when the programme started years ago, it was within LGAs around coastal communities, now it has extended to the entire Delta State which is a welcome development.

Among those in attendance are Prince Alekwe, Chief Inspector of Education, CIE, Warri South, who represented the Honourable Commissioner for Secondary Education Mrs. Rose Ezewu; Hon Ighomrore Hope who represented the Executive Chairman of Warri South Council, Dr Tidi Michael;

Comrade Jonathan Adiri of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Delta State chapter; Mrs. Omagbemi Mercy, CIE, Warri South-West; Dr Christiana Okerie, CIE Ethiope East; Godwin Agbiloko, Head, IPCR; Mr. Eze Ariwojo, Deputy Director, Ministry of Education, Asaba, Staff of CEPEJ, teachers of the participating schools, media organisations, amongst other guests.

Also in attendance were three beneficiaries of the Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade Quiz and Essay competition: Miss Soyinka Funmi from Erejuwa II College (2021), Warri South, Miss Dariji Success from Tsekelewu Secondary School, Egbema (2019) Warri North and Miss Amos Christabell from Ukpiovwin Secondary School, Udu (2021). They also gave testimonies of the positive impacts that the programme has had on them.

The CEPEJ Staff in attendance include, the Head of Administration, Mrs Agidi Tina, Senior programmes Manager, Mr. Ideh Samuel, program manager, environment/communication Mr. Dan Tonfawei, Logistic manager, Mr. Dimeji and ICT manager Mr. Ola.

Highlights of the programme include the presentation of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes to winners of the quiz and essay competitions, sharing of school bags, notebooks, and mathematical sets to students in attendance, and group photograph session.