By LEKAN AGBOOLA, Ilorin –
Kwara State First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrasaq on Thursday hosted this year’s Royal Commonwealth Society’s Essay and Quiz Competition in Ilorin the state capital.
While speaking at the event, Mrs. Abdulrasaq said, the essence of the event is to give young creative writers the opportunity to express themselves on contemporary issues.
“While the experience of last year has been different in Commonwealth nations and the world over, it is the hope of the organisers that the competition helps to promote the core values of the Commonwealth, and help students in the Commonwealth achieve their dreams”.
She also expressed hope that it would help put them on sound footing.
On her part, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Atkinson said the Society would continue to do all within its powers to strengthen relationship between Commonwealth nations and see that its values of democracy, rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights are protected.
At the well attended event which had Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama who was represented by the Director, International Organisation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Samson Itegboje, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, represented by the Director, Education Support Services Department, Dr. Mrs. Lydia Giginna.
Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahm Abdulrasaq thanked the First Lady, for the effort she put in to ensure that the competition was hosted by the state and urged the participants to work hard and make the state proud during the competition proper.
He also promised to sponsor the student that comes out tops and the runner up to London, United Kingdom, where the finals of the competition would be held.
The competition saw participants drawn from schools from across the state.
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