Breaking News

Orogun Grammar School Wins Environmental Quiz Competition ~ Truth Reporters












…as Waive, Ughelli North C.I.E, Environment Ministry, Ndakara, others grace ceremony

By Foster Akpore

Orogun Grammar School on Friday 5th March, 2021 emerged winner of the environmental quiz and essay writing competition organized by African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) in collaboration with National Coalition on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta (NACGOND) for students of the eight government secondary schools in Orogun Kingdom, with support from the Dutch Embassy.

Orogun Grammar School, Orogun clinched the 1st position with 73 points, while the 2nd position went to Orhoera Secondary School, Orhoera, with 61 points. The 3rd position went to Ebor Secondary School, Ebor with 53 points, followed closely by Aragba Secondary School, Aragba, with 50 points, Imodje Secondary School, Imodje, with 48 points;  Ekruopia Secondary School, Obodeti, with 41 points; Omo Secondary School, Ovara, with 33 points and Emonu Comprehensive High School, Emonu, with 31 points.

The students were tested and graded based on the aggregate score from three areas which included an essay with the topic: "the role of citizens in the management of environmental problems in Orogun” which constituted 50 points. The second category is the quiz which carried 40 points and the third category which is the observance of world wildlife day on March 3rd in their various schools which attracted 10 points, after being trained on Climate Change, Desertification, Pollution, Natural Resources and Pollution, Industrialization and Environmental Problems, Environmental Conflict, Renewable Energy, amongst others by Foster Akpore, Niger Delta Coordinator of Centre LSD, with the assistance of Oviruo A. Ogheneruemu and Pastor Anthony Chukwuneme, on Monday 1st March 2021, with the aim of adequately preparing and selecting the best school for future State, national or international competitions. 

High point of the occasion was the presentation of token cash prize of eight thousand naira to the winner, Orogun Grammar School, while seven thousand naira was presented to the first runner-up, Orhoera Secondary School, and six thousand naira was presented to the second runner-up, Ebor Secondary school by Rt Rev. Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, represented by Barr. Beauty Uogun-Nze (ACAbr), the Chief Inspector of Education, Ughelli North, represented by Mrs. Odiete Martha; and Mrs Obire Rachael, from the Ministry of Environment respectively.

In their separate remarks, Honourable Waive, while expressing regrets over his inability to be physically present, tasked the students to take the reading of their books very seriously, while thanking the organizers of the event, even as he expressed his commitment to better the lot of his constituents.

On her part, representative of the Chief Inspector of Education, Ughelli North, Mrs. Odiete Martha, while commending the organizers of the competition, expressed the commitment of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in improving the standard of education in Delta State under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, stating that “boys should take the lead but the girls should appreciate the fact that their education doesn’t end in the kitchen, if not, my being an Assistant Director in the Ministry wouldn’t have been possible”, tasking them to take their books seriously and “shun trending vices like drug abuse, sagging, internet fraud popularly called Yahoo, tattoo, piercings and the like because they can only put one in the fast lane of disaster in the long run, but lasting success comes with patience and commitment”.

In his remark, read by Foster Akpore, the President General of Orogun Kingdom, Chief Benson Ndakara (Esq.), who supported the competition, reaffirmed his commitment to the overall development of Orogun, as he charged the winners “to ensure that they don’t rest in their oars but see this feat as a chance to aim for higher heights”, while encouraging those who didn’t win any prize not to be discouraged because improvement is the greatest room in the world, and that “overtaking is allowed”, he reassured.

On his part, the Executive Director of Centre LSD, Mr, Monday Osasah, stated that, in line with the mission of the Centre, which is to work with forces of positive change to empower citizens to transform society, “the essence of the competition is to deepen the student’s knowledge on environmental issues, rev up the campaign on environmental awareness to people of the Niger Delta, ensure environmental justice to the degraded Niger Delta environment, implant skills for environmental leadership, pursue sustainable utilization of environmental resources, as well as campaign for actions that will promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta". 

The event also had in attendance partner organizations like The Ejiro & Otive Igbuzor Foundation, Priest, Peace and Justice Initiative (PPJ) and members of the International Human Rights Committee, Delta State Council, led by Fidelis Onakpoma, who presented notebooks and pens to the students and staff of the competing schools as a way of encouraging them to strive for academic excellence.

In an interview with Mr. Edwin Agbavwe, Team Lead of Orogun Grammar School Environmental Club, while thanking the organizers of the competition, stated that “both the training and quiz competition were so impactful, as participants were exposed to the prevailing environmental issues facing Orogun people in particular and the entire globe in general. I want to also appreciate individuals and corporate bodies who out of their busy schedules found time to attend the quiz competition”, as he expressed optimism “that all participants will put into use the environmental knowledge acquired from the training and quiz competition, in order to ensure that our environment is safe, and issues that constitute environmental problems in Orogun like bush burning, deforestation, blocking of drainages etc are totally eradicated”. 

No comments