UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the twelve finalists for the 2018 edition of its annual National Essay Competition.

The 12 finalists will sit for the second round of the competition, where three winners will emerge after undergoing supervised essay writing on a different topic from the original entry, on Saturday November 25, 2018 at the Bank’s headquarters in Lagos

The 12 finalists were selected after a very tedious grading process undertaken by a distinguished panel of judges made up of top professors from reputable higher institutions from the four geographical zones in Nigeria. The students were graded using some parameters including grammar, articulation, arrangement, handwriting, punctuation and strength of argument.

Interestingly, this year’s edition recorded the highest participation, with more entries coming in from various secondary schools across the country – even after entries had been closed. In all, over 6,000 entries were received for this year’s edition.

The names of the finalists in no particular order are: Ugwuagbo Chinweizu of Lydia of Shalom Academy Nsukka; Israel-Olusegun Daniel of The Fountain Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogun State; Alo Praise Ayomiposi of Lagos African Church Grammar School, Lagos State; Adeyemi Abdul-Lateef of Pivic Colege Iba, Lagos State, Adetola Ibukunoluwapo from Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Lagos; Odjegba Omesiri Divine of International High School, Delta State; Hezekiah Tiffany Uruaku of Faith Academy Rivers State.

Others are Ozemoka Halimat Emesomi, University Preparatory Secondary School, Edo State; Idogbo Sharon O. of Holy Child College, Lagos; Adiankpo Ini- Iso Christopher of Nigerian Christian Institute, Uyo and Komolafe Justice Babatunde of Kingsfield College, Lagos State.

The essay competition, which targets senior secondary school students is organized annually, as part of UBA Foundation’s Education initiative aimed at promoting the reading culture and encouraging healthy and intellectual competition amongst secondary school students in Nigeria and across Africa.

This year, the topic is “What is the biggest environmental issue you think your generation will face? How can it be avoided and how can it be solved?”

Mrs. Bola Atta, Chief Executive Officer of UBA Foundation, who announced the new prizes explained that the first prize for the UBA National Essay Competition is a N2 million educational grant for the winner to study in any African university of his or her choice, a 100% increase from N1m which was awarded last year, while the second and third prizes have increased to N1.5 million and N1m educational grants respectively, up from N750,000 and N500,000 previously obtained.

Atta also explained that the choice of topic for this year’s competition is one that helps promote creative and analytical thinking in students and encourages them to be problem solvers.

UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition has been taken to other African countries including Ghana and Senegal as well as Mozambique and Kenya. The initiative will spread to more African countries in 2019.

UBA is one of Africa’s leading banks with operations in 20 African countries. It also has presence in the global financial centres; London, New York and Paris.  UBA provides banking services to more than 15 million customers globally, through diverse channels.