The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, on Monday, doled out cash rewards to the best students who participated in the TISU/FANWO Brain Challenge in Takete Ide Amuro.
The annual competition featured students from various higher institutions of learning across the country. Questions were set from different subjects of study.
At the end of the keenly contested Competition, Akinola Opeyemi came first with 63%, Jimoh Mayowa came second with 60% while Adetinuyo Victor scored 56%.
Redeeming his pledge, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo doled out cash rewards to the winners.
The sum of 100,000 naira went to Akinola Opeyemi of the University of Ilorin for coming first. 80,000 naira was given to Jimoh Mercy of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife for coming second while Adetinuyo Victor took 50,000 naira for coming third.
The Commissioner also distributed books to all the participants.
According to Fanwo, the gesture was to spark the spirit of academic excellence among the students.
He said, “We are battling with a lot of social vices today because our youth have left the path of academic competition for the fast lane of quick riches. We have to bring them to the right lane.
“Those who have won here will not struggle too much for their fees in school. We have done something to ameliorate their struggle.
“I am a bit emotional about the girl that came second. She has lost his dad and his Uncle has been the one sponsoring her. She did so well in the competition and she has automatically become Miss Takete Ide as the girl with the highest score as well as a scholarship from me.
“We have to do everything within our powers to encourage the girl child. We have changed how Miss Takete will be emerging. It is not going to be about beauty alone anymore, but brains”.
Fanwo said efforts are on to extend the competition to cover the entire Yagbaland.
Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Chairman of Mopamuro LGA, Hon. Moses Sunday David Alumo said the initiative is in line with his administration’s plan to bring back the lost educational glory of the LGA.
“What the Commissioner has done today is plausible and we have come to identify with him because the initiative is in line with our administration’s determination to bring back the lost academic glory of Mopamuro LGA.
“I want to encourage the students to take advantage of this program to bounce back from their lack of seriousness with their educational career”.
Also at the event are the Vice Chairman of the LGA, Hon. Mercy Bukola, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Women Mobilization, Yagba Federal Constituency, Hon. Seth Ronke (Yaro) all the Councillors in the LGA, political office holders and educationists.
Speaking at the end of the event, the National President of the Takete Ide Students’ Union, Comrade Mayowa Ernest told our reporters that what Hon. Fanwo did was historic.
His words: “You saw how the exercise was very transparent and everyone was satisfied. No one has done this here before and we wont forget this.
“Hon. Fanwo has always supported our students to do well because education is the best gift anyone could give. We are so proud of him and all he has done for us”.
