Top essayists of the 2024 Carnival Calabar Essay Competition receive awards, as Folashade Tinubu Ojo emphasizes the importance of literacy.

The 2024 edition of the Carnival Calabar Essay Competition saw top essayists recognized for their exceptional work. The event, sponsored by Mrs. Folashade Tinubu Ojo, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, took place in Calabar, Cross River State.

The competition, now named the *Folashade Tinubu Ojo Carnival Calabar Essay Competition*, awarded cash prizes and accolades to deserving students.

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In the essay category, Master David Okon Offiong, a student at Police Secondary School, Calabar, won the first-place prize.

In the short stories category, which was open to students in higher institutions, Awhobiwom Lucy Betiang from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, claimed the top honor.

Participants in both categories wrote on the theme of the 2024 Carnival Calabar, “Our Shared Prosperity.”

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, highlighted the competition’s role in promoting literacy, developing young talent, and reviving the reading and writing culture among Nigeria’s youth.

“Writing essays allows individuals to explore different perspectives, fostering critical thinking,” Onah remarked.

In her keynote speech, Mrs. Folashade Ojo expressed her satisfaction with the students’ performances, stressing the importance of fostering a love for reading and writing.

She urged parents, guardians, and teachers to take an active role in encouraging good cultural ethics and values. Ojo reaffirmed her commitment to supporting such initiatives, noting that they are essential for building a vibrant, inclusive future for young Nigerians.

“I am committed to supporting and sponsoring initiatives like this. Bringing back the love for reading and writing is critical in safeguarding our communities,” she said.

The event also featured vibrant cultural displays by secondary school students, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Mr. Austin Cobham, the Executive Secretary of the Carnival Commission, also praised Mrs. Ojo for her unwavering dedication to sustaining the literacy components of the Carnival.