Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) launches UBA Foundation 2nd Edition National Essay Competition

 

 

 

 

 

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) launches UBA Foundation 2^nd Edition National Essay Competition

 

On Monday 11^{th of} October 2021, the United Bank for Africa Foundation (UBAF) and The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) officially launched the 2^nd Edition of the National Essay Competition Open Call, for Senior Secondary School (SSS) pupils across Sierra Leone.

The event took place at the Bintumani Conference Hall, in the presence of pupils, teachers, parents, District Education Officers representing 16 districts of Sierra Leone, Directors of the Education Directorate, UBA Board of Directors, Senior Representatives from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, members of the press and Executive Management from UBA Sierra Leone.

In his open remarks on the 2^nd Edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay competition, the Minister, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, laid emphasis on the importance of education for the future generation, and for pupils to horn their writing skills, stating that the UBA Foundation National Essay competition is in itself not a competition, but rather a mechanism in which students and pupils across Sierra Leone, can further sharpen their analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and improve on their problem-solving ability.

 

Reading out the topic, ‘Environment Resilience in Sierra Leone; identify a critical stakeholder and present their interventions for climate change, he gave insight to pupils urging them to research on how to solve problems that their community and country are challenged with, and that it is time they knew more about climate change, and how they can see themselves as change agents, to proffer solutions.  He thanked UBA, for their consistency and for the financial support provided to the winners that helps them secure a good education.

Speaking at the Ceremony, the MD/CEO of United Bank for Africa Sierra Leone, Usman Imam Isiaka, said that the essay competition offers an opportunity for pupils in examination classes to strengthen their critical thinking, civics, and other skillsets relevant for their growth.

He went on to say that NEC is a UBA Foundation Initiative that was initiated in 2011 as part of the Foundation’s drive to improve the access to education for the underprivileged across Africa.

This year will mark the 2^nd Edition of the National Essay Competition in Sierra Leone in conjunction with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE). In so doing, children across the country will be given an opportunity to participate in the life-changing competition.

 

“UBA Foundation is committed to organizing NEC annually to compliment Sierra Leone’s government effort in promoting quality education in the country,” says the MD/CEO UBA Sierra Leone Usman Isiaka.

He also disclosed that the winners will be given an opportunity to win scholarship grants for their university education up to the limits of Le50 million, Le30 million, and Le20 million for the first, second and third positions respectively.

Also present at the ceremony, were finalists and winners of the first edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.  Jesse Nicky Kamara, a pupil of The Sierra Leone Grammar School and the first runner up from the first UBA Foundation National Essay Competition 2020, making his statement gave his profound gratitude to UBA Foundation, and acknowledging that he had received his prize of 30,000,000 Leones in his account from the bank, he went on to say words fail him to express the joy he felt when he received the cash alert.

 

He further encouraged his colleague pupils, to seize this opportunity and win a scholarship that will definitely ease the burden on their parents in supporting their educational pursuit. He thanked his teachers, parents, and the United Bank for Africa Sierra Leone assuring all that he will make the best use of this opportunity and will serve as an ambassador for this year’s UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.

 

Making a statement at the event was the UBA Sierra Leone Board Chairman, Mr. Abdul Sheku Kargbo, speaking on behalf of the board, said that UBA Sierra Leone board of directors remain committed to supporting the Management of UBA Sierra Leone in actualizing the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibilities on the following areas:  Education, Environment, Economic Empowerment, and Special Projects.

He went on to mention that not too long ago he was privileged to participate in the distribution of UBA Foundation, Read Africa Initiative literature books to various secondary schools in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

He said, that United Bank for Africa Sierra Leone continues to set the pace in the financial arena, expanding their products and services, branch network, and establishing long-lasting business relationships that benefit all stakeholders within its business environment.

Concluding, he expressed his sincere appreciation to the Minister and his team at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education on the strides the Ministry has been making in bringing to fruition the President’s vision in providing free quality education for the children in Sierra Leone.

 

He went on to quote Victor Hugo who said, “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.”

 

He admonished the students reminding them that education is power and that It is vital, and they must seize the opportunity as education opens the mind, expands it, and allows one to improve their lives in so many ways.

Closing with a quote from Malcolm X who said:

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

Pupils who were present had an opportunity to ask questions on the essay competition criteria, they exuded enthusiasm in readiness to creatively write to shape their future in this year’s UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.

At the ceremony, the Memorandum of Understanding for this year’s National Essay competition was signed between The United Bank for Africa and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and were both signed by the MD/CEO UBA Sierra Leone, Usman Imam Isiaka, and the Hon. Minister MBSSE, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh.

The United Bank for Africa remains committed to organizing the National Essay Competition every year to complement the Sierra Leone government’s efforts in promoting quality education in Sierra Leone.

Click the link below to see images
NEC Press Call 2021