Flourish Olaoye, Two Others Emerge, Winners of 2024 Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition

Out of 551 essay entries submitted by secondary schools across Nigeria, and after disqualifying 341 essays due to infractions, Flourish Olaoye of Christ the King International School, Gbagada, Lagos, has been declared the winner of the 19th edition of the Bishop Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Nigerian Secondary Schools.

Olaoye scored 71 per cent in the initial round of the competition and 75 per cent in the final round, which was held at The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) International Headquarters, Gbagada, Lagos, achieving a total average score of 73 per cent. 

Nora Femi-Lawal of Chrisland High School, Lekki, came second with 65 per cent in the first round and 64 per cent in the final round, resulting in an average score of 64.5 per cent. 

The third position went to Olayimika Esther Durotimi of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, who scored 62 per cent in the first round and 60 per cent in the final round, averaging 61 per cent.

The Chief Examiner, Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, stated, “The three winners tackled the topics with a level of thoughtfulness appropriate for their age. They conveyed their ideas in a manner befitting exceptional students of their age and grade. Their command of the English Language structures highlights their meticulous nature and significant potential. We congratulate them, as well as the other finalists, and wish them great success in their future endeavours.” 

She acknowledged the growing influence of AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Assistant, and Gemini, along with online services that produce and sell essays to students, which are becoming commonplace in the educational system.

“As we can no longer avoid these technologies, we must adapt to them and remain vigilant in finding ways to mitigate their negative impact on knowledge production,” she said.

Adimora-Ezeigbo added, “While we reflect on the direction scientific advancements are leading us, the seven students invited to the finals offer a glimmer of hope. They have engaged with issues, using both their hearts and minds, employing original thought within the framework of knowledge production methodologies. These students are the ones who, through their creativity, generate the content that technology often feeds upon. We must, therefore, encourage them—as Bishop Okonkwo is doing—by sharpening their critical thinking skills, recognising their contributions, and rewarding their efforts.”

For their achievements, Olaoye will receive a cheque for N500,000, a trophy and a plaque, while her school will be awarded a set of computers. Femi-Lawal will receive a cheque for N250,000 and a plaque, and her school will also receive a set of computers. 

Durotimi will be awarded a cheque for N150,000, a plaque, and a computer set for her school. The remaining finalists will each receive consolation prizes of N20,000.

All the winners and their schools will be honoured and rewarded at the 23rd Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture Series, with the theme ‘Nigeria’s Pathways: Diagnosis and Prescriptions’.

The event will be held at the Zenith Bank Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on September 5, 2024. The lecture will be delivered by Kanu Agabi, a highly esteemed Nigerian lawyer and politician  who has served as a senator and twice as attorney general and minister of justice of the federation. The event will be chaired by Mr. Atedo Peterside, the President and Founder of ANAP Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting good governance in Nigeria.

The Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition was launched in 2004 as part of the celebrations for the birthday of the Presiding Bishop of TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo.

The competition was established to contribute meaningfully to developing the Nigerian educational sector. Okonkwo has remained committed to this cause for 19 years, using his talents, strength, and resources to bless the younger generation in pursuing academic excellence.