Three girls from The Ambassadors College, Ota, Ogun State, have won the Read2Lead boot camp writing competition.
The three students, Iremide Ogunyemi, Mfeheke Okoko, and Daniella Orji, who emerged as the top three finalists in the first Read2Lead boot camp writing competition, received cash prizes from Fidelity Bank Plc.
At the prize presentation, a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the bank in Lagos, Mfeheke Okoko and Daniella Orji received N1.5 million and N1 million, respectively, as first and second runners-up. At the same time, Iremide Ogunyemi won N2 million cash, a publishing deal worth N2 million, and an additional N2 million to enhance her school’s library.
In her welcome speech, Fidelity Bank’s managing director and chief executive officer, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, highlighted that Read2Lead is one of several initiatives to improve Nigeria’s educational standards.
“The Read2Lead initiative encapsulates our approach to instilling a culture of reading and writing among young people. As the esteemed American journalist, critic, and social reformer Margaret Fuller highlighted, ‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader,’ we believe that igniting our youths’ imagination early can unlock their potential and set them on a path to success.
“Beyond Read2Lead, Fidelity Bank is committed to various initiatives aimed at enhancing the standard of education and ensuring the next generation is well-equipped to drive our nation’s future.
“Recently, we hosted our second webinar focused on businesses within the education sector, where industry leaders discussed ways to maintain educational standards amidst rising operating costs”, explained Dr Onyeali-Ikpe who was represented by the Executive Director, South Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs Pamela Shodipo.