Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID), a professional group, has launched its annual essay competition named after Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State to empower and engage youths with public discourse specifically on the state.
The Seyi Makinde Annual Essay Competition 2022, according to Ayotomiwa Adebayo, the group’s spokesperson, is aligned with the interest of the governor in youth empowerment as well as further seeks to serve as a platform where youths are challenged to take interest in socio-political debates whilst using the such opportunity to advance their competencies in any human endeavour.
Adebayo said that entrants to the competition can only write one of the entitled essays: ‘Strengthening transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability for a peaceful and sustainable development in Oyo State’ or ‘Advancing the frontiers of possibilities for a safe, secured and prosperous Oyo State through citizen’s active participation in governance processes,’ or ‘Re-engineering the Oyo State energy system through the newly proposed development and implementation of Oyo State master gas plan: Expectations, Possibilities, and Benefits’.
The deadline for the submission is November 20, 2022, and not later than by 11.59 pm.
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Besides, he explained that the exercise is open to Oyo State residents/indigenes that are students of any recognised institution in Nigeria and must be between the ages of 18 and 35.
The prize money for the best piece is the sum of N200,000, while the second and third prizes will attract N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.
Adebayo also disclosed that the top 20 participants will be sponsored for digital skills vocational training and awards will be presented to top participants at an OID reception. And he went on to list some of the requirements for entries and participation, among which are that the essay must be written in English using Microsoft word format; entries must be between 800 and 1000 words (bibliography and references are excluded from the word count); entries must be prepared in font size 12 Times New Roman with double spacing and pages numbered. Plagiarism of any kind will result in automatic disqualification.
“Participants must be ready to provide proof of students’ identification and residency if required. Names and contact details should be stated in the submitted entries. Entrants must be creative and draw practical examples from concluded or ongoing infrastructural projects in Oyo State,” Adebayo said.
He reiterated that points will be awarded to in-depth analysis and understanding of the topic, creativity, originality, depth of research, and real-life application.
“No submission is allowed after the deadline date as stated above,” he said.
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