Three secondary school students emerged as the top winners in the 2024 Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Energy Essay Competition, outshining over 500 participants across Nigeria.
The three female students, whose schools are in Ekiti, Katsina and Adamawa states respectively, showcased their intellectual prowess in essay writing.
The competition, which focused on the topic “How does the New Customer Protection Regulation (CPR 2023) Protect the Rights & Obligations of Electricity Customers?”, was marked by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
NERC said, “1st Place Winner: Congratulations to Miss Faith Ayomide Ogundola for securing 1st place in the 2024 NERC Energy Essay Competition for SS2 students! Miss Ogundola, from Ekiti State University International College, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, received an award certificate, a plaque, and a cheque for N500,000 for her outstanding performance.”
“2nd Place Winner: Congratulations to Miss Sumayya Ismail Abubakar for securing 2nd place in the 2024 NERC Energy Essay Competition for SS2 students! Miss Abubakar, from NAK Academy Funtua, Katsina State, received an award certificate, a plaque, and a cheque for N300,000 for her remarkable performance. “
“3rd Place Winner: Congratulations to Miss Vanju Rejoice John for securing 3rd place in the 2024 NERC Energy Essay Competition for SS2 students! Miss John, from Government Day Senior Secondary School Bekaji, Adamawa State, received an award certificate, a plaque, and a cheque for N200,000 for her impressive performance. “She was also awarded an extra N100,000 by NERC Vice Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, who was impressed by her eloquence during the presentations.”
Parents and guardians of the winners received plaques and cheques on behalf of the students’ schools and English teachers, recognising the collective effort in supporting academic achievement.
Speaking during the award ceremony at the NERC headquarters in Abuja, recently, NERC’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba, congratulated the winners, noting that the annual event sought to encourage children and youths to develop interest in the Nigerian power sector, electricity and energy conservation.
Garba said: “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.”
NERC’s Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, Aisha Mahmud, said it was the fourth time the annual essay competition had been held.
The three top winners 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’s Vice Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni.
Dr Oseni, in his closing remarks, said over 500 pupils applied for the contest and wrote the essay which was marked by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
