Winners of the Seyi Makinde Essay Competition get Cash and Scholarship Rewards

The winners of the Seyi Makinde Essay competition have been rewarded with cash prizes, certificates, and a scholarship for one of the participants.


The top 20 participants in the essay competition organized by the Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora tagged, “Seyi Makinde Essay Competition Award”, were presented with their individual award at the presentation ceremony held at the Simeon Adebo Staff Development Center, Conference Hall, Ministry of Establishment and Training Building, Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday.



The organizers; the Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID) group showered encomiums on Governor Seyi Makinde’s efforts to reposition the education sector in Oyo State, saying that the competition was organized for students in higher institutions who reside in the state as well as Oyo State indigenes to empower youths and test their intellectual capacity in digital innovation, agriculture, and the role of youths in governance.



The event was well attended by prominent officials from the Oyo state Education ministry and stakeholders in the Education sector such as the Oyo State Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin; Chairman Governing Board, Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Dr. Aaron Ogundiwin and the Provost of the institution, Mr. Siji Ganiyu; Professor Olufemi Saibu; Dr. Olufemi Olowookere and General Manager, BCOS, Mr. Tunde Ajayi, etc.



The winner of the competition, Salahudeen Balqeez Oyenike was presented with a cheque of N150, 000, while the first runner-up, Adeniyi Oluwamayowa Adedoyin got a cheque of N100, 000.00 and the second runner-up, Ezekiel Kolawole, was presented with the sum of N50, 000. 00. The only secondary school student who made it to the final stage of the competition, Adeleke Oluwaseyi, was presented with a scholarship covering the cost of a JAMB form and a first-year tuition fee of any tertiary institution of her choice.



Professor Sangodoyin, while speaking at the event, charged the 20 finalists and the three winners of the competition to maximize their potential as well as to key into the programmes in the education sector, which is one of the pillars of development of Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.



“We are highly impressed with the outcome of the competition because even secondary school pupils also participated in the over 5000 entries and 20 made it to the final stage of which 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winners emerged.”



“OID is delighted on the success of Seyi Makinde Essay Competition which is earmarked as part of the activities marking the second anniversary of the Seyi Makinde-led government. This shows that the future of Oyo State is bright and we only need to push and encourage our young ones in order to have a knowledge-based economy,” he added.



The OID Academy Coordinator, Dr. Sophia Adeyeye also lauded Governor Makinde on the success he has recorded, especially in the area of education through various laudable policies gearing towards academic excellence in Oyo State.



She appreciated Governor Makinde for keeping his promises by appointing a Commissioner for Youth less than 30 years old, and employing more than 5000 youths into Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) as well as giving youths more opportunities in other government parastatals.



The OID National Coordinator, Professor Olufemi Saibu, noted that over 20 percent of the budget allocated to the education sector is already paying dividends. He also noted that this has encouraged youths to support the administration to ensure that the success story in Governor Makinde’s push for effective and qualitative education within the two years in the office is achievable.

He affirmed that youths are future leaders and agents of change for innovation building if given favourable platforms to showcase their academic excellence, skills, and talents and will perform incredibly well in any chosen field of human endeavour.



OID Women’s Coordinator, Dr. Olasumbo Savage advised the female students to imbibe the culture of hard work, diligence, and dedication so as to excel in their chosen career, adding, “Be yourself and stand to be counted among the best.”



The group spokesperson, Mr. Ayotomiwa Adebayo, urged the youths and good people of Oyo State to support Governor Makinde in his efforts in transforming education and other key sectors in order to make the state an investment destination for investors.




The event also featured special recognition awards to dignitaries, including the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Chairman BCOS, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Special Adviser on Cultural and Tourism, Alhaji Taye Akande; Chairman Governing Council, Oyo State College of Health, Science and Technology and General Manager, Oyo State Road Traffic Management, Commander Adeoye Ayoade for their contributions to serving the people of Oyo State under the visionary and exceptional leadership of Governor Makinde.




Other OID ambassadors and executives at the presentation awards include Mrs. Funke Mosebolatan, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, Mrs. Yemisi Ologunja, Pastor Adenike Aderibigbe, Mr. Qudus Olayiwola, Mr. Abiola Durudola, Mr. Samuel Olaseinde, Mr. Oluwasogo Akinpelu, Mr. Damilare Mathew, Mr. Damilare Ogundibo, Dr. Emmanuel Fagbo, Mr. Bamidele Ojo, among others.




The group prayed to the creator to grant Governor Makinde wisdom, guidance, and understanding to succeed in his efforts to make Oyo State great and prosperous.