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By Emmanuel Sampson
In what could be described as a pure display of Academic excellent of a keenly contested essay competition for undergraduates female students, from Oro extraction studying in various Nigeria University. Miss Edidiong Atainyang of the department of English Language, University of Uyo has emerged the overall winner at the just concluded essay competition organized by “Eke Osung Scholarship Foundation For The Girl child”
The maiden edition of award of scholarship is 2nd edition of Ikpoto Okon Osung undergraduate essay competition, in collaboration with Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable (OLR) is focused on addressing the challenge of Girl-Child Education in Nigeria, with the provision of scholarship awards to deserving female students studying in various institution of higher learning.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the foundation, Chief Ikpoto Osung, former National Vice President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), informed that throughout his life, he has passion and love for girl child hence the need to invest in girl child education, in order to help fulfill aspirations of younger generation and passion for excellence.
“People do not give because they have much but because they love, at some point in time one need to give back to the society, if you fail to do it,you will be stagnated physically and spiritually” On the scholarship awards which he instituted for female undergraduates of Oro extraction in honour of his mother, Osung said he believed in the power of women as “agents of change, prosperity and development.”
Earlier in his address, Chairman on the occasion, Dr. Dominica Ukpong commended the ingenuity of the Eke Osung Scholarship Foundation for giving back to the society through the foundation, used the occasion to called on other well to do individual to emulate Chief Osung gesture, as such was the best service to humanity.
Presenting a Keynotes Speech on “Girl Child Education: A Veritable Instrument for Community Development” Dr. Golden Ekpo of the University of Uyo, notes that women are making great exploits at the global scale, emphasized that
The girl child needs to be educated to acquire knowledge and skills needed to advance her status for social interactions and self-improvement. “The girl child education also prepares her to face the reality in society and teaches her to be a good wife and mother.”
Also speaking the Convener, Oro Nation Leadership Roundtable Barr. Omen Bassey gave Chief Osung a pat on the back for his role in giving the girl child a sense of belonging, maintained that the Undergraduate Essay Competition was instituted in 2020 to promote reading culture, scholarship and honour Ikpoto Okon Osung for his love for education.
Dignitaries who grace the occasion where; The Sole Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr. Efiong Akwa represented by Chief Jerry Okpo, Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, represented by the acting Permanent Secretary in his office, Dr. Etim Uwe, President General of Oron Union, Bishop Etim Ante, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Chairman, State Secondary Education Board, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon, Chairman, Obio Ifóng Isong Oro (OIIO) HRH, Offong E. M. Unanaowo, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Chief Asuquo Amba, Secretary Obio Ifóng Isong Oro (OIIO), HH Offong Etim Oquong, former Nigerian Ambassador to Greece, His Excellency, Sir & Lady Etim Uye, former President, Oron Development Union(ODU USA), Chief Asuquo Anwana, immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Elder Patrick Albert, Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE), Oron Branch, Engr. Ben Edenseting and Obong Daniel Udoh among others.
