Chuks
Udo Okonta
Sovereign
Trust Insurance Plc, as part of its continuing effort in promoting academic
excellence amongst youths who are still undergoing post-primary education in
the country and beyond, has singularly
endorsed the prize money for the essay competition instituted in honour of
Nigeria’s Literary Giant and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who will
on July 13, 2014, turn 80.
A
statement by the Chief Spokesperson for the giant underwriting firm, Segun
Bankole, said the activities leading to the birthday of the notable wordsmith
is scheduled to commence on July 7, 2014, to the end of the year within and
outside of the country.
He
noted that the Project WS is an International Cultural Exchange Program
designed for the purpose of using the platforms of Literature, Arts and Culture
to affirm and uphold the dignity of our
society; focusing on youths as the future of humanity.
He said
the project was premiered in 2010 on the 76th Birthday of Professor
Wole Soyinka, adding that it has three main categories namely: the Essay
competition which is open to Nigerian Secondary School Students anywhere in the
world, the Stage plays which features renowned Nigerian and International
actors and the Advocacy lectures.
The
project sets out to engrave in the hearts of the youth, the uncommon view that
education, arts and culture are authentic panacea to fear, violence and their
resultant erosion of individual will and self actualization, he said.
“The
Pan Nigerian Secondary School Essay competition being a cultural exchange
project chooses pertinent topics which is thrown open to Senior Secondary
School Students all over Nigeria and the Diaspora. Interested students are
encouraged to submit essays on selected topics based on which finalists are
selected; the number of which tallies with the age of the Noble Laureate.
“This
year’s Essay topic for the finalists is themed, “Path to Freedom and the
Future”. The final stage of the essay competition will be held live as all the
selected finalists will converge at the same venue to write the final stage of
the essay at the same time. The first three winners will get cash scholarships
and laptop computers while their respective schools get desk top computers as
well,” he said.
While
appreciating the Management of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc for its
immeasurable support and partnership towards the hosting of this year’s edition
of the project, the Project Coordinator and Executive Producer, Alhaji Teju
Kareem, said that the Organising Committee expresses its profound gratitude to
the Management of the company for finding the Project WS a laudable initiative
worthy of support.
He enjoined
other corporate entities to follow in the stead of Sovereign Trust Insurance
Plc in identifying and supporting worthy causes as a way of ensuring the
progressive movement of our dear country.
Bankole
said the underwriting firm is noted for relentlessly supporting projects that
are in line with the company’s CSR philosophy in bringing about positive
changes in our society. He noted that the focus of this project are the youths
who are the future of our great nation because they hold the key to change and
prosperity in Nigeria and the world at large. In his words, “it is our duty to
productively engage them and ensure that their mindset and priorities align
with the direction of progress for the motherland and humanity”.
He said
the firm will continue in its stride to give optimal support to initiatives
geared towards advancing the immediate community and the country as a whole.
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