QIOP National Quiz Competition: JSS Pasali Emerges Winner

The students; Rima Lawi 11, and Taiwo Omobolanle, 12, clinched the prize after beating 34 other contestants from 17 schools. The First and second runners-up, who represented Junior Secondary Peyi and Junior Secondary School Kwali, also in Abuja, won N500,000 and N300,000 respectively, Speaking at the event, Irene Onwuka, a UN Peace Ambassador and founder of the Queen Irene Onwuka Peace (QIOP) Foundation, organisers of the competition, said the event was a platform to discover and encourage brilliant students in public schools towards fulfilling their academic goals.

“We have found out, in our course of visiting primary and secondary schools over these years, that students in public schools are very brilliant, but need some level of motivation,” she said. On his part, Dr Adamu Jatau, Director of FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) commended the QIOP for its commitment and vision of empowering students in the territory, especially indigent ones. Jatau, who was represented by the Head of Arts Unit of the board, Mrs Isioma Okafor, however, advised parents and guardians of the young scholars to ensure that the cash prize was expended on their education. “We strongly believe that beside the monetary reward, this quiz competition will challenge our junior secondary students and bring the best out of them,” she said.

Highpoint of the event was cultural dance performances by students from different schools and the presentation of cheque to the finalists, as well as presentation of certificate of participation to the students. Celebrities, heads of schools, youth mobilisers and government functionaries, including a representative of the Minister of State for Eduction, Prof. Anthony Anwukah were at the event.

Source: Vanguard