The newly elected Governor of Niger State, Hon. Umaru Mohammed Bago, inaugurated a schools creativity and essay competition for Niger State. The inauguration took place at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Minna, on 27th May, 2023, at the inaugural award ceremony. The competition which is domiciled in the Governor’s office will take place every quarter of the year.
The competition was an initiative of Alhaji Umar Sanda, Barr. Maurice Magaji, Dr. Murtala Bagana, Mustapha Ndajiwo, and Al-kasim Abdulkadir with active support of the Bago Foundation. The schools competition is exclusively administered by the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, Minna, Nigeria.
The theme for the maiden edition was: “The Niger State I Want” and was for secondary school students from or resident in Niger State. The Judges were: BM Dzukogi (Chief Judge), Olumide Ojo Emmanuel (Judge 1) and Makama Shekwoaga (Judge 2).
The maiden edition winners are: Ahmad Abdulkadir Ndawacin from Sauki Academy, Bida who clinched the first position; Faith Jesuseun Ajiboye from Mawo Schools, Minna won the second position; and Nana Khadijat Muhammad of Abu Turab Islamic College, Minna came third position.
The first position winner went home with a Mini laptop, the second position, a tablet while the third position received an Android phone. The Governor also awarded cash incentives to other students that participated in the competition.
The second edition was conducted on 19th August, 2023 at the scheduled five centres of Minna, Bida, Suleja, Mokwa and Kontagora cities. The Minna Centre was located at Himma International College; the Bida Centre was at Edusoko University; Kontagora was at Government Model School; Mokwa was at the Local Government headquarters, while the Suleja Centre had no candidates. A total of about 170 students wrote the essay competition which is far above the 78 of the first edition.
This Zonal arrangement was a deliberate policy of the organisers for spread and inclusivity. Also, the competition was done on-the-spot as opposed to the online submission procedure of the first edition. The topic for the second edition was: ” Things that are wrong with public schools in Niger State”. Selected essays are usually published into a book. You can visit www.nsscec.com.ng for details.
