A 15-year-old SS3 student, Ememobong Sunday Udofia, from Word of Faith International School, has emerged as the overall winner of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency’s (AKSEPWMA) essay competition.
The competition, which focused on “the role of citizens in effective waste management,” received 2,175 entries.
At a press conference held on Tuesday at the Agency’s office complex, Obong (Dr.) Prince Ikim, Chairman of AKSEPWMA, presented cash prizes to the winners.
Ememobong Sunday Udofia received a cash award of N300,000, while Emaediong Christopher Umo and Ndifreke Patrick Akpan secured second and third places with cash prizes of N250,000 and N100,000, respectively.
Other winners are: fourth place: Goodluck Luke Udoka of Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene and fifth place: Favour Iniobong Sunday, a JS2 student from Topfaith Legacy College, Ikot Ekpene
In addition to the cash prize, Ememobong Sunday Udofia will serve as Chairman of the Agency for 24 hours during the next sanitation exercise scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Ikim noted that the essay competition was organised to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to environmental sustainability.
According to him, the criteria for judging the winners included: content, originality, language and style, organisation and structure and the final score, saying that the five winners selected, performed above average.
He hinted that the agency has concluded plans to establish a Waste Management Club in secondary schools in the state and the winner has become the face of the agency.
In her response, the Essay winner, Udofia expressed delight for being the face of the Agency, adding that it is a right step in a right direction into her destiny.
According to her, “I almost did not participate in the contest because I was disappointed in the last contest I participated but my teacher encouraged me. I thank God that I listened to him and I greatly appreciate Obong Ikim for the gesture.”
