The Centre for Extension and Community Services, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi state, has organized a one-day essay competition and award ceremony for secondary school students from the five communities in Ikwo Local Government Area.
Held under the university’s community service initiative, the event aimed to promote education and address societal attitudes toward the education of boys and girls in the area.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Director of the Centre, Dr. Chinyere Lilian Nkama, said the initiative followed the success of an earlier agricultural training programme for participants from Alike, Echara, Unweka, Mgbabau, and Okpitumo communities. That programme trained participants in micro livestock production, piggery, cucumber, and fruit farming as alternative income sources.
Dr. Nkama explained that the Centre shifted its focus to education because of its critical role in societal transformation and national development.
“Education is more than literacy and schooling. It builds character, strengthens critical thinking, supports skills acquisition, and drives personal development. It fosters progress in families and society, balances preferences, and promotes equality and equity regardless of gender,” she said, quoting Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
She noted that the essay competition was designed to reopen discussions on the preference for male over female education in Ikwo communities—a practice often rooted in the belief that a girl’s education ends in the kitchen. The competition, she said, would shape students’ perspectives through cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning while promoting critical thinking, value reorientation, and creative writing skills.
Dr. Nkama announced that outstanding participants would receive scholarships covering two academic sessions upon gaining admission into AE-FUNAI, regardless of their course of study. The first and second runners-up will receive scholarships covering one academic session and consolation prizes of ₦50,000 each.
She thanked the Vice-Chancellor and university management for approving the scholarships and supporting the event. She also commended the assessors from the Department of English and Literary Studies for their transparency in selecting the winners and praised teachers for preparing the students.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Celestine Affiukwa, urged the students to take education seriously and use the opportunity provided by the university for personal and community transformation.
“The presence of a university within a community brings transformation. Focus on the benefits you can derive from this institution to pursue academic excellence and contribute positively to your communities,” Prof. Affiukwa said. He also called on participants to embrace sportsmanship as winners emerged across categories.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the students who secured first, second, and third positions.
Ezaka Ferdinand Ifeanyi of Urban Community Secondary School, Ndufu Echara, emerged as the winner of the essay competition.
