The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) on Saturday announced the launch of the National Secondary School Essay Competition in honour of Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of the THISDAY/ARISE Group.
The initiative was announced in a press statement jointly signed by Messrs Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Barr. Frank Tietie, Executive Director, CASER.
The initiative, the signatories said, was to celebrate Obaigbena’s enduring contributions to the advancement of excellence in journalism and broadcasting on the African continent.
According to the rights group, the annual competition aimed to inspire secondary school students in Nigeria to develop strong writing skills, critical thinking, rigorous research, and a deep commitment to truth, the core principles of responsible journalism.
The statement said: “In an age increasingly challenged by misinformation, online abuse, and the erosion of ethical communication, this competition aims to guide young minds back to the values of integrity, clarity, and accuracy in expression.”
On the Essay Review and Judging Panel, Tietie said submissions would be judged exclusively by Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, a foremost teacher of Communication and Registrar at Baze University, Abuja.
He added that Prof. Sunny Awhefada, a distinguished scholar from the Department of English and Literary Studies at Delta State University, Abraka, would develop the evaluation criteria.
Tietie explained that the top three winning essays would receive the following cash prizes-1st Prize: ₦500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira), 2nd Prize: ₦300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) and the 3rd Prize: ₦200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)
He said winners would be announced and awarded on 14 July 2025, coinciding with the birthday of Obaigbena.
According to him, the maiden edition of the competition would be exclusive to students of Government College Ughelli (GCU), the alma mater of Prince Obaigbena.
To ensure a smooth rollout, a Local Organising Committee (LOC) comprising members of the GCU Old Boys has been constituted as follows: Mike Akoreh – Chairman, Efe Onomake – Alternate Chairman, Charles (Charlie) Umuakpero – Secretary, Oghenevwoke Edjere – Member, Sunny Ahanmisi – Member and Anthony Mukoro -Member
The committee will commence its duties immediately to coordinate all activities and ensure the successful implementation of the competition, he said.
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