L-R: Local Government Inspector NYSC, Lagos State, Mrs Bose Ojimi; Asst. Director Research & Planning and representative of NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Osho; winner of the 15th edition of NYSC Essay Competition organised by The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) and graduate of Nursing Science, University of Maiduguri, Victor Dimas, and General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi during the event in Lagos recently.

Victor Dimas, a graduate of Nursing from University of Maiduguri, has won the 15th edition of NYSC Essay Writing Competition organised by The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN).

Dimas, who is currently serving at the First Battalion Nigerian Army, Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, scored 78 percent to beat other five contestants.  He received a cash gift of ₦500,000 with motivational books and Bible. John Faith Ometere, a History and International Studies graduate of the Federal University, Lokoja, serving at Government Day Secondary School, Karewa, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State, scored 77 percent to emerge second position. She received the sum of ₦300,000, motivational books and Bible. She was followed by Moyomikun Olawale a graduate of Medicine from Bowen University, Osun State, who scored 76 percent and received the sum of ₦250,000, motivational books and Bible. Three other contestants got various sums of money as consolation prizes with motivational books and Bible.

The Chairman of the occasion, Barr Dele Adesina, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Principal Partner, Dele Adesina LP, admonished the youth to have a dream and pursue it with strong determination, irrespective of challenges on the way. According to him, obstacles and failures can be steppingstones, encouraging them to be dedicated and pay the price to ensure they achieve their dream.

Speaking further, Barr Adesina urged the youth to be prepared to hold leaders accountable and no longer be passive. “Let us speak out and condemn what is condemnable” he added. He commended the contestants for the quality of their presentations, saying that his hope for a better Nigeria was renewed after listening to the presentations.

The six contestants who spoke on the topic, “Democratic Accountability: Harnessing Technology for Electoral Reform, Good Governance, Sustainable National Development in Nigeria”, were unanimous in their submissions that character is more important than technology to electoral reforms. According to them, if the person who will man the technology deployed for election is compromised, the result of the election will not reflect the mandate of the electorate.

Speaking earlier, the General Secretary/CEO of BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, welcomed guests to the programme, informing them that the programme was part of the activities of The Society aimed at engaging people with the Bible to transform their lives. He disclosed that over 180 people wrote the first stage of the competition, from where the six best contestants emerged.

The programme was also attended by NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, who was represented by Grace Osho, Assistant Director Research and Planning NYSC, Local Government Inspector of NYSC in the state, Mrs. Bose Ojimi, and a large turnout of NYSC members serving in different parts of Lagos State.