WYEP Concludes National Essay Competition, Rewards Winners

*The proud winners

The Watchman Youth Education Programme (WYEP) recently concluded a national essay competition in Lagos.  Six winners emerged in the senior and junior categories. The excited finalists received their prices amidst applauses from fellow youths and some adults who had gathered on Children’s Day, May 27, 2024, at the Watchman Fellowship Hall, 7c Fatiregun Street/Raimi Oladimeji, Ebute Metta, Lagos, to witness the event.  

Contestants were drawn from the Junior and Senior Secondary classes (JSS1-JSS3 and (SS1-SS3) to form the two categories.  

From the several students that participated in the first stage of the competition, twenty names made the top performers list. These were then invited to Lagos to write the final test which held on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Six contestants were eventually shortlisted as winners, three for each category.

*Former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adefisayo (3rd Right), WAEC Examiner, Mr. Ajaero (2nd Right), WYEP Officials and guests...

The overall winner for the senior category is Miss Nweke Mmasichukwu Gift, an SS3 student from Enugu. She was rewarded with a cash award of four hundred thousand naira (N400, 000). It was received on her behalf by her mother since she was writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in Enugu and could not be in Lagos to personally receive it on Children’s Day. She, however, watched the event on Zoom in Enugu and footage of her rejoicing and applauding when her name was announced was beamed live to audiences in Lagos and across the country.

For the junior category, Miss Victory Ebubechi Iheadigwu, a JSS3 student from Umudike, Umuahia, took the first position. She went home with a cash prize of three hundred naira (N300, 000).

The second and third place winners in the senior category were Masters Osondu Excel Eberechukwu (SS2, LOGISS, Orlu) who received N250, 000 and Jatto Success (SS3, Onitsha) who got N150, 000.  

Director, WCCRM Youth and Children Ministry, Mrs. Carllister Ejinkeonye, presenting the consolation prizes to the contestants

In the junior category, Master Udenyiri Destiny Chidiebube (JSS2, Okoko, Lagos) clinched the second position and received a cash reward of N200, 000 while Miss Solomon Esther (Ikorodu, Lagos, JSS1) took the third position and went home with N100, 000.

The rest of the participants were rewarded with beautiful consolation prizes.  

Speaking earlier at the event, former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, urged the young people to endeavor to be focused if they must attain great heights. She told the youths that even though they were usually referred to as tomorrow’s leaders, they should start from today to see themselves and act as leaders. She advised them to shun bad friends, decide on what they wanted to be in the future and start today to prepare themselves to achieve that.

*The mother of Miss Nweke Mmasichukwu Gift  receiving the prize on behalf of her daughter from the Editor-in-Chief, WCCRM Publications, Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye 

“God has given you everything you need to become great. It is now in your hand to do what you can with the talents God has given you to achieve greatness,” she said.

A West African Examination Council (WAEC) examiner, Mr. E.N Ajaero, was also on hand to give a lecture to the youths on how to excel in their studies, especially, the English language and emerge with excellent results in the Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSCE). He told them that he retired as a school principal and has been a WAEC examiner for about forty years. After his lecture, there was a question and answer session during which the students were further enriched from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

*Pastor (Barr) Michael Oyagha presenting to Master Udenyiri Destiny Chidiebube his prize

Earlier, the WYEP Director, Sir Innocent Ohiri, welcomed everyone to the programme and said that it was a most joyful and fulfilling experience putting together the competition from the beginning to the final leg, culminating in the prize-giving day. 

He congratulated the contestants for deploying efforts to participate in the competition and assured everyone that came to the programme that they would be very happy they did.

*The contestants before the winners were announced

Commenting on the successful completion of the essay competition and the prize-giving ceremony, Mrs. Carllister Ejinkeonye, the Director, WCCRM Youth and Children Ministry, the parent body of the Watchman Youth Education Programme (WYEP) which organizes the annual competition for secondary school students, said she was overjoyed that the programme was successfully executed. According to her, she felt very happy and fulfilled watching the winners rejoicing and praising God when they clinched their prizes.

“I could see among them youths who may have been looking up to God for intervention in the area of finance, and so the winners have cause to be grateful to God,” she said.

*Miss Solomon Esther receiving her prize from Pastor Innocent Ohiri 

She promised that WCCRM Youth and Children Ministry will endeavor to do better in the 2025 edition of the competition to ensure greater rewards for the winners.

Also commenting, the Project Coordinator of the national essay competition, Mr. Emmanuel Aloysius, said he was “extremely excited about the success of the WYEP Essay Competition 2024.” 

*Cross-section of the youths at the programme

According to him, “completing a project successfully is rewarding, but it is even more fulfilling to see the participants express their gratitude and find value in the competition.” 

He appreciated the Diocesan Pastor of Lagos, Dr. Protase Opara, Mrs. Carllister Ejinkeonye and Pastor Innocent Ohiri for the efforts they invested to make the event possible. He also commended Chukwuwuike Nwakile (Chairman, WCCRM Youth Ministry Alumni Forum), Mrs. Roseline Abaraonye, Pastor Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye and Pastor (Barr) Michael Oyagha for their support. 

*Former Commissioner Adefisayo mobbed by excited kids after her stirring speech

In an interview later, the first place winner (senior category) Miss Nweke Mmasichukwu Gift, said:  “I felt elated when I heard the result of the essay and was thrilled about the prize because I didn't expect to get the first place. I'm happy about the prize and pray that God continues to bless the organizers.” 

The major sponsor and initiator of the annual competition is the WCCRM Youth Ministry Alumni Forum – the young adults who had passed through the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement Youth Ministry.