BENIN CITY – No fewer than 200 students drawn from Junior Secondary to tertiary institutions across Edo State received various prizes in the 7th Grand Prize Award Ceremony for winners of the 2015 Essay Competition Organized by Kenneth Imasuangbon Foundation.
The ceremony held at the Main Auditorium, University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus had students each carting home cash prizes ranging from N10,000 to N50,000, an Ipad and a text book “Echoes of the Past” written by Prince Tony Momoh
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Enogie of Obanosa and Chairman, Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, HRH, Professor Gregory Akenzua who chaired the occasion commended the sponsor of the award, Barrister Ken Imasuangbon for his philanthropic gesture and foresight in hunting for talents among Nigerian Youths, especially in the area of education.
He said, “education is the greatest weapon to effect positive changes in any society and I want to thank Barrister Imasuangbon for recognizing excellence among our youths and building this talents for the future development of Nigeria and Edo State in particular.
“I also commend the Board of Directors of Kenneth Imasuangbon Foundation for their resilience, commitment and passion for this noble ideal in these eight years.”
According to Prof. Akenzua, “Nature has endow people with different talents and if talent is not nurtured, it will grow and parish.”
He urged the award recipients to see their various prizes as a challenge that would propel them to higher height.
Also speaking, the father of the Day, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom extolled the leadership qualities that Barr. Imasuangbon displayed in his quest to improve and build on the educational capacity of the youths, even though they were already in school.
Chief Igbinedion added, “rather than build skycrappers, bungalows and others, you chose to invest in lives. “This is the greatest investment in life and it must be noted that a giver never lack,” he stressed.
Commending Imasuangbon for the huge financial assistance to Nigerian Youths within and outside Edo State, Chief Igbinedion advised the recipients of the various prizes to refrain from the urge to sell the Ipad gift, stressing that “many have sold their precious gifts because of hunger; please do not sell this one.”
The Esama of Benin however rejoiced with Barr. Kenneth and Mrs. Kate Imasuangbon for God keeping the life of the donor in a ghastly motor accident, maintaining that “your good deeds in the sight of God did not go in vain; keep on doing good, there is reward,” he said.
In his address, the founder and organizer of the competition for schools in Edo State, Barr. Imasuangbon thanked God Almighty for sparing his life and living to contribute to the educational advancement of Edo Youths.
Barr. Imasuangbon stressed that with education, Edo State would advance to the next level in terms of human and capacity building.
He promised to do more for the state in the area of Essay Competition, maintaining that “with these array of students, the future of Edo State is bright.
He congratulated the students, parent, teachers and schools that participated in the competition, adding that, “whether you win or you do not win, but you participated; it is like going to the Olympic; it is not the gold that matters, but what matters is the participation.”
Commending the state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for laying the foundation for good education for the Nigerian Child, Barr. Imasuangbon promised to continually do his best to compliment the state government’s efforts.
Others who spoke at the occasion included the Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Friday Faraday Orunwmense, represented by Chief Ogiegban, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ekehuan Campus; former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh and the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Edoror represented by Hon. Osadebamwen Asoro (Orhionmwon Constituency), in the House of Assembly.
This year’s essay competition was titled” tenacity and resilience, the compiling of the Nigerian Children.”