By Aliu Akoshile
UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has picked climate change as the theme of the 2024 edition of its prestigious National Essay Competition with cash prizes exceeding N16 million.
This year’s edition, which is the 14th, invites essays from senior secondary school students on the topic: “Discuss the impact of carbon emission on climate change in Nigeria: challenges and solutions”.
The UBA Foundation’s essay competition has been hailed as an initiative that fosters literacy, critical thinking, and healthy competition among secondary school students while providing future leaders with the financial support needed to pursue higher education.
NatureNews reports that the theme chosen by UBA Foundation, which seeks to encourage students to engage with one of the most topical environmental challenges facing the world, aligns with the global efforts on climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions.
A statement from the Foundation indicates that from the pool of entries from schools, 75 finalists will each receive a N75,000 grant before competing in a regional essay-writing competition to be held in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.
From there, the top 20 finalists will compete for the grand prizes: N7.5 million for first place, N5 million for second place, and N3.5 million for third place. In addition, all 20 finalists will receive laptops and other educational tools to enhance their academic pursuits.
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In a new initiative this year, the Foundation said teachers from the top three schools with the highest number of entries will also be rewarded for their efforts in encouraging participation.
To select the winners, essays will be judged by a panel of esteemed professors of English language from across Nigeria, while the winning submissions would be evaluated on originality, depth of insight, and creativity.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, emphasised the Foundation’s commitment to education as a catalyst for development.
She said: “At UBA Foundation, we recognize the transformative power of education. Through this competition, we are not only helping young Africans realize their potential but also equipping them with the resources to shape the future of our continent. We are committed to empowering youth to dream big and achieve greatness.”
Explaining the reason for the enhanced prizes this year, Atta said: “We understand the financial challenges many families face, especially given Nigeria’s current economic climate. By increasing the grant prizes, we aim to make a clear statement about our unwavering dedication to African education.
“This adjustment reflects our awareness of the rising cost of quality education and ensures that outstanding students can pursue their academic dreams without financial barriers.”
The annual National Essay Competition, according to the Foundation, has also been extended to other African countries where UBA operates, with a view to expanding opportunities for students across the continent to benefit from the Bank’s educational grants.
As a cornerstone of UBA Group’s CSR strategy, UBA Foundation continues to make positive impacts through various initiatives. The Foundation’s “Read Africa” program has donated hundreds of thousands of books to students across the continent, while the National Essay Competition has enabled countless students to further their education and change their lives.
