Northeast: 18 finalist emerge in education advocacy programme for children

After a rigorous essay writing sessions and validation of submitted entries, 18 finalists have emerged as winners of the Essay Writing Competition in the recently announced Federal Government’s education advocacy programme for displaced children in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The Grand Finale holds Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State where the finalists will present their education advocacy videos at an event to be attended by dignataries and functionaries from across the three states.

The Protecting Education Advocacy Challenge to re-orient children affected by insurgency in the three  Northeast states was announced November 20 and kicked off soon after garnering 3,079 of such children showing keen interest in the competition by turning in their entries.
“The enthusiasm and active participation of these children in the Essay Competition is indicative of their willingness to be the voices raised so that education is protected for them,”  the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, Dr Mariam Masha, said.

The 18 finalists, six from each state were the lucky winners out of 3,079 entries received from the three states, with Borno having 1,337, closely followed by Adamawa with 1,230 while Yobe had a total of 512 entries.
The winners from Borno are Aisha Musty and Bukar Abdulrahman in the 8-11 years category; Abubakar Musa and Zulai Mikaila in the 12-14 Years Category and Hauwa Bulus and Kaka Emmnauel in the 15-18 years category.
From Adamawa State, the winners are Emmanuel Andrawus and Faith Mathew in the 8-11 Years Category; Prince Midenda Napatali and Abba Gana-Bundi in the 12-14 years while in the 15- 18 years category are Grace Markus and Ali Bulama.
Modu Aisami and Adamu Ibrahim emerged in the 8-11 years category in Yobe State. Other winners in the state are Fatima Lawan Jinbam and Mustapha Abdullahi in the 12- 14 years Category and Sadiq Abubakar and Abubakar Baba Adam were winners in the 15-18 years category.
This education advocacy which raises the voices of the children as advocates is a model that directly engages the children in conversations concerning their educational visions and helps to to create a sense of involvement and enhance the success and sustainability of their education.
It is targeted at school-aged children displaced in the North East States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
Other partners and supporters of the programme include the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), Medview Airline, Softcom, Venture Garden Group, Academy Press and UACN Property Development Company – UPDC.