4th Edition of Peace&Unity Quiz/Essay Competition:Mulade Charged Federal, States to invest in Edu...

Comrade Sheriff Charged, Federal, States, South-South Governors and Multinationals to Invest in Education at the 4th Edition of Comrade Sheriff Mulade Peace and Unity Quiz/Essay Competition

The venue of the Comrade Sheriff Mulade 4th Edition of Inter – Local Government Peace and Unity Quiz/ Essay Competition which was held at Hussey College Warri was filled to capacity on Wednesday February 26, 2020, with dignitaries from Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers State's and other parts of the Country.

Dignitaries who were present at the occasion were representatives of Delta State Ministry of Education, Chief Inspector of Education (CIEs) of the 3 LGAs, Local Government Chairmen of Warri North, South and South-West, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), School Principals, Teachers and Student Unions among others.

The competition was conducted and supervised by representatives of the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education with clear and acceptable rules meeting the Ministry's guidelines. It was a competitive contest that was transparent, free and fair.

The participatory schools in this 4th Edition, were Erejuwa II Grammar School, Egbokodo Secondary School and Obodo College from Warri South LGA, Okerenkoko Secondary School, Ogbe-Ijoh Grammar School and Ogidigben Grammar School from Warri South West, Alema College, Omateye Secondary School was unavoidably absent and Oloduwa Secondary School represented Warri North LGA.

Comrade Sheriff Mulade, while commending the effort, sacrifices and ability of the students said during his speech "this annual competition is aimed at bridging the gap between the Riverine/Rural Schools and their urban counterparts so that the coastal schools can have a full taste of what they have been denied over time in terms of academic competition and exposure, we are using this opportunity to promote and sustain the existing peace among the ethnic nationalities in the communities within the three (3) Warri LGAs, particularly the Ijaws, Itsekiri’s and the Urhobo people."

On the importance of Education in Nation building and Economic advancement he said " Education is the back-bone and the live-wire of any country and its economy, Education is the bedrock of civilization, If you show to me any Nation that is backward in development, I will show to you a Nation that has less interest in the educational advancement of the people.”

He also says that "If Nigeria the most populous black race in the world, hope to meet-up with high technological advancement as seen in other civilized Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada, then the Country must take education seriously. I must tell you that, "Any Nation that refuses to develop has sold its future to educational failure"

While commending the effort of the Federal, State and Multination companies in developing and advancing education at various levels, charged the Delta State Governor , Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, South-South Governor's, Federal Government and corporate bodies in the South-South region to invest more in the educational system and appealed to multinational oil companies to channel more of their Corporate Social responsibility funds to Education Development, which will help to reduce illiteracy and reduce civil unrest in their operational areas in line with Goal 4 of the SDGs."

At the end of the quiz competition, Alema College from Warri North LGA emerged as the Winner with total score of 12 points from a 3 round contest of 7 subjects drawn from English Language, Mathematics, Basic Information, National Values, Civic Education, Basic Science and Current Affairs. Egbokodo Secondary School from Warri South LGA came second with 10 points, while Okerenkoko Secondary School from Warri South West came third with 9 points. The first, second and third prize winners went with the sum of 100,000, 70,000 and 50,000 Naira, respectively.

On the Essay competition, Egbokodo Secondary School emerged winner, while Alema College and Erejuwa II Grammar School came second and third respectively with a cash prizes of 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 Naira for the winners. The title of Essay was: Environmental Pollution a threat to Sustainable Peace, Economic and Agricultural Development in the Area.

The competition also witness gift presentation to individual students who were able to answer brilliantly questions presented to the audience including Students from Hussey College and other schools who were present. Gift Items includes School Bags, Note Books, Mathematics Sets, Writing Pads and Aids etc.

Hon. Michael Tidi, Chairman Warri South Local Government Area, was ably represented by his P.A on Protocol, Mr. Chris Agbajoh. He Commended and thanked Comrade Mulade for his consistency in organizing the program. In his remark he said " apart from the fact that this competition is a uniting bond for the 3 Warri LGAs of different ethnic language groups who are the Ijaws, Urhobos and Itsekiri's it is a beckon of hope for students living in those communities, regions and LGAs, it will help to continually expose the students and prepare them of any academic and employment challenges in the larger society called Nigeria". Others who spook encouraged the students and the organizers, not to give-up, but to keep-up with the good work.

In his closing remark Comrade Mulade charged the students to be of good behavior and serve as positive examples to their peers and fellow students, while thanking everyone, and the Staff of CEPEJ for the wonderful role payed in organizing the Competition and God almighty for making the quiz and essay competition a success.

Those present at the occasion includes, Mrs. Edafe Esther, Deinfegha Z. Linder, Mrs Wuruyai Edouye from Ministry of Education Warri South-West LGA. Mr. Onogholo O.V, Chief Inspector of Education (CIE) Warri North LGA. Lymnient Ekiseowei from Warri South-West LGA. Efele Jones – NUT, Warri North LGA. Mr. Otor, D.J – Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Isiokolo , Ethiope East, Markson U,Ode- Niger Delta Student Union Government, Ugbonagha Jesuovie- Delta State Student Union (NADESSUT), Okoro Ockuko Maurreen – NIDSUG, among other delegates who were there to support the program with their encouraging speech and presence.

The team of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice – CEPEJ was also on ground to manage all administrative activities for the smooth running of the Inter – Local Government Quiz and Essay competition they include Mr. Moruf Odekunle - Logistic/Procurement Officer, Mrs. Ovuodo Ayebatari-Gow,-Secretary, Mrs. Tina Agidi - Corporate Manager, Admin/ Finance, Mr. Samuel Ideh- Programme Manager, Mr. Olasupo Olatoke- ICT Administrator, Mr. Tonfawei S. Daniel-Communication/Advocacy Officer, Mr. Doubra Patrick Bodifigha Programme Officer on Environment and Mr. Oreva Peter Idudhe – CEPEJ volunteer and a class room Teacher with Kokodiagbene Secondary School, Warri South West LGA.