UBA Unlocks Writing Potential Of School Going Kids
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the United Bank for Africa Sierra Leone (UBA-SL), launched its Fourth National Secondary School Essay Competition on the topic: “Substance abuse among youths in your community.”
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Acting Managing Director of UBA Sierra Leone, Alhaji Samoura, gave a brief background to the introduction of this wonderful project, stressing that the UBA Foundation is charged with the responsibility to implement its Corporate Social Responsibility, which it had been doing assiduously in various sectors like, Education, Environment, Health and other endeavors. He noted that the Foundation has done a lot in enhancing the livelihood of citizens as well as ensure their wellbeing.
MD Samoura maintained that the Essay writing Competition is part of their actions to unearth the hidden writing talents of school going kids across the country. It seeks to tap into the hidden potentials of students and imbibe in them the culture of reading and writing. He noted that past winners of their prizes have benefitted from scholarship at University level, as well as laptop Computers to enable them perform exceptionally well in their studies.
Alhaji Samoura further encouraged students across the country to make good use of this opportunity to enhance their academic aspirations. The competition, he went on, provides an OPP for students to challenge each other. He stressed that it is not the winning that is their focus, but rather the development of the hidden talents that young people possess for a better Sierra Leone.
In his address, Emmanuel Alie, a representative of the Ministr of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, expressed joy in being part of such an inspiring and noble endeavor, furthering that the Topic of Essay chosen by the Bank resonates with what is happening to youths in the country, and it is a good thing for students to come up with suggestions on how to deal with it. He urged would be contestants to believe in themselves and be original in their writing. With regards to the topic, Mr Alie said that it is common around, and they see it every day around them. By writing about it, he urged them to proffer solutions to help the victims of drug abuse. He recognized the addictive effect drug abuse has had on young people. He further cautioned them to stay away from drugs, as a single trial can get them hooked for life and destroy their future. He encouraged them to be original, as they could be the lucky winners of the competition. He congratulated the Bank for embracing such a noble venture and assured them of government’s unwavering support to the venture, which is part of President Bio’s Human Capital Development drive. He then, on behalf of the Minister declared the Competition open.
Joshua, the lucky winner in 2020, said that the competition inspired him in creative writing, and encouraged would-be participants to be true to themselves and develop the passion for writing.
Memuna Kabba, another winner of the last competition also encouraged participants to be original and believe in themselves. She furthered that the prize from the competition is now taking care of her academic pursuit in the University, and wished them good luck.
The ceremony was climaxed by video presentation of views of past winners and their current endeavors.