By Ikpeama Emmanuel
LAGOS, June 2, 2026– In a bid to revive reading and writing culture among young people and nurture future leaders with a heart for community service, the Rotary Club of Okota has organised an essay competition for secondary school students in Lagos State.
The competition, themed “Service Above Self,” was designed to encourage students to embrace selfless service while sharpening their writing and critical-thinking skills.
Speaking at the event held on May 30, Rotary Club of Okota President for the 2025/2026 Rotary Year, Mr. Kingsley Chijioke, said the initiative formed part of the club’s commitment to youth development and character building.
According to him, service remains the foundation of societal progress, making it essential to instill the value in younger generations.
“The future belongs to young people who are willing to lead through service. This competition is not only about writing essays but about shaping minds and inspiring a culture of responsibility and compassion,” Chijioke said.
He noted that Rotary designates May as Youth Service Month to celebrate young people and support their contributions through innovation, leadership and community engagement.
“Rotary Okota is committed to empowering young leaders through mentorship, community service and programmes such as Rotaract, Interact and Youth Exchange.
These initiatives help raise the next generation of changemakers,” he added.
Winner of the competition, Ms. Sudel Adetiminu, described the exercise as enlightening and impactful, saying it had broadened her understanding of service and leadership.
“The competition challenged us to think beyond ourselves and consider how we can contribute positively to society. More initiatives like this are needed to inspire young people,” she said.
Speaking with newsmen, the Youth Chairman-elect for the 2026/2027 Rotary Year, Rotarian Dr. (Mrs.) Caroline Ogbaji, said the essay competition was organised in line with the club’s observance of Youth Service Month, which is dedicated to engaging young people in impactful educational activities.
She explained that the competition was designed specifically for Interact Clubs to encourage active participation and learning, noting that despite the short notice, the response from coordinators and students was impressive.
“We organised this essay competition because May is Youth Service Month, and it is important that young people are engaged in activities that are educational and impactful to their lives,” she said.
Dr. Ogbaji disclosed that out of 50 participants, five students emerged winners at the end of the essay competition, adding that the club intends to expand its youth programmes in the coming months.
According to her, a mathematics quiz competition is planned before September 2026, while outstanding participants will also benefit from further opportunities, including sponsorship to attend Rotary Leadership Training in August.
She also appreciated all coordinators for their unwavering support and urged students who did not make the top five not to be discouraged, but to remain resilient and continue striving for excellence.
Competition Results
1st Position: Miss Sodade Oluwatunmininu (Ronik Comprehensive School) – ₦50,000 cash prize and a plaque
2nd Position: Allison Esther (Ronik Comprehensive School) – ₦30,000 cash prize and a plaque.
3rd Position: Omoniyi Goodness (Power and Glory College) – ₦20,000 cash prize and a plaque
4th Position: Ogunjimi Victoria (Ijeshatedo Comprehensive School) – Certificate of participation
5th Position: Eniola Trust (Power and Glory School) – Certificate of participation
Also speaking, Rotary Club of Okota President-elect for the 2026/2027 Rotary Year, Mr. Abidemi Sogunle, said the competition served as a platform to assess students’ writing abilities and encourage academic excellence.
He expressed concern over the declining reading and writing culture among many youths and cautioned against excessive dependence on artificial intelligence for tasks that require creativity and critical thinking.
“Reading and writing are essential skills that keep the mind active and intellectually alert. Students should cultivate these habits and not rely entirely on technology to do their thinking for them,” Sogunle said.
He commended all participating schools and students for their enthusiasm and dedication.
Sogunle further encouraged students to be adventurous in their pursuit of knowledge and to seek innovative solutions to societal challenges.
The event concluded with presentations of plaque and cash award to the winners of 1st,2nd and 3rd position, while 4th and 5th position went home with a certificate.and recognition of outstanding participants, reaffirming Rotary Club of Okota’s commitment to youth empowerment and educational development.