The second edition of Ife North Annual Scholarship and Essay Competition (NASEC), was on Wednesday, May 7, held at Asipa Community High School Hall, Asipa town, Ife North Local Government, Osun State, marking a significant milestone in the history of the town.
This annual event is sponsored by an Asipa-born philanthropist, Engr. Gbenga Owolabi, who is also a former student and past Senior Prefect of Asipa Community High School.
The competition is open to both public and private secondary school students across Ife North Local Government Area, Thenewsbearer reports.
The competition has the participation of 94 students from 24 schools, public and private.
In her welcome address, the school principal, Mrs. Ajayi Olubunmi, expressed gratitude to Engr Owolabi for his contributions and the positive impact of the competition on his alma mater.
Asipa Community High School won ₦200,000 after emerging victorious in the essay writing category.
Origbo Community Unity School, Ipetumodu, secured second place with a cash prize of ₦150,000, while L.A. Grammar School, Ipetumodu, took third place with ₦100,000.
In the quiz competition for public schools, Oyebode Abosede won the first position, with a prize of ₦250,000.
Abiodun Kabirat got the second position with ₦200,000 as reward, while Abdulsalam Tunde was third, with ₦150,000 prize.
Students who finished in the fourth position and below also received cash prizes.
For the private schools segment of the quiz competition, Taiwo Darasimi finished first, receiving ₦150,000, followed by Adeboye Ifeoluwa in the second position with ₦100,000, and Akinyemi Emmanuel who came third with ₦90,000.
All participants were also rewarded with cash to enhance their educational pursuits.
The organising committee, item developers, examiners, invigilators, and teachers were also accorded recognition and rewarded by Engr. Owolabi for their contributions to the event’s success.
In his remarks, Engr Owolabi shared his lifelong dream of giving back to society, while stressing that his philanthropic efforts were not politically motivated.
He expressed joy at the realisation of the dream, saying that his aim in sponsoring the competition is to inspire young individuals in Origbo Mejeeje to achieve higher educational goals.
The state Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dipo Eluwole, on behalf of the government, praised the philanthropist for his contributions to the education sector.
The Commissioner expressed confidence that such initiatives would foster continued growth in Osun’s educational landscape.
Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Oyewusi Akinyode Ireyode, who was accompanied by Hon. Kasope Abolarin and Hon. Abiola Awoyeye, also commended the initiative.
He described Engr. Owolabi as a compassionate brother dedicated to shaping the future of students in Ife North Local Government.
In attendance were royal figures, including the Alasipa of Asipa, Oba Mufutau Oyekanmi and Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Meshach Oyediran, who offered prayers for Engr. Gbenga Owolabi’s continued prosperity and longevity.
