By Chidi Ugwu, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has celebrated the top winners of the annual energy essay competition, with the first three winners receiving cheque prizes, plaques and certificates.
The award ceremony held at the NERC headquarters in Abuja recently had the parents/guardians of the winners in attendance.
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NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba who congratulated the winners said the annual event seeks to encourage children and youth to develop interests in the Nigerian power sector, electricity, and energy conservation.
“We pick public interest topics and invite students to write essays on these. This year, the topic is about ‘Consumer Protection’. We are encouraged to know that students have taken an interest in understanding what we do as a regulator and the regulations we have made to protect consumers,” said the NERC Chairman.
He also commended the parents and guardians for supporting their wards to compete in the national essay contest. “Hopefully, this will spur them to be lawyers, and economists and contribute to what we do to eradicate darkness in Nigeria.”
NERC Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, Aisha Mahmud, said it was the fourth time the annual essay competition has been held.
“For the winners, we believe you know so much about the consumer protection regulation because you wrote about it; we hope that you will be our ambassadors out there, encouraging electricity consumers to know their rights and obligations.”
Faith Ayomide Ogundola of Ekiti State University International College, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State came first in the competition and received an award certificate, a plaque, and a cheque of N500,000.
Sumaiya Abubakar of NAK Academy Funtua, Katsina State got a certificate, a plaque and a cheque of N300,000 while the third position went to Vanju Rejoice John of Government Day Senior Secondary School Bekaji, Jimeta, Adamawa State who got a certificate, a plaque and a cheque of N200,000.
The parents/guardians of the winners also received plaques and cheques on behalf of the three schools and their English teachers. Students who came 4th to 8th position from other schools were also recognized and their certificates would be sent to them.
The three top winners also presented highlights of their essays on the NERC Customer Protection Regulations. For her eloquence, Rejoice John got a cash award of N100,000 from NERC Vice Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni.
Dr Oseni in his closing remarks, said over 500 pupils applied for the contest and wrote the essay. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) marked the essays that produced the three top winners in a keenly contested competition.
“With this milestone, I urge you the top winners to begin to decide on your career path and work hard to emerge top in these fields because I believe that the sky is your starting point.”
