BENIN CITY - The winners of an Essay Competition tagged Edo State of my Dream”, organized among secondary school students in Edo State to mark Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s one year in office were at the Bendel Newspapers Company (BNCL) Limited, the Publishers of the Observer Newspaper titles to collect their additional prize money yesterday.

The Acting General Manager of The NIGERIAN OBSERVER NEWSPAPER, Mr. Monday Aigbe who received the winning schools and their proprietors on behalf of the organizing Committee of the essay competition took the visitors down memory lane when he stated that on the 13th of November 2009, the Edo State Governor had raised winning stakes by informing the winners that aside the prizes they got at venue, they had more in the offing. That promise, he noted had been redeemed by the presentation of cash donations to deserving students.

The first Prize winner, Miss Sadiku Modupe of Franej International School got a cash prize of five hundred thousand naira, Miss Addeh Otibhor also of Francy international schools got four hundred thousand naira for coming second while the third place winner, Lohis Ibukunoluwa of Baptist High school Benin City got three hundred thousand naira.

The Acting General Manager handed the cash prize to the deserving students on behalf of the Comrade Governor.

While responding, the proprietor of Franeji International School, Dr. (Mrs.) Ejinwa Uzu expressed deep appreciation, to Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the show of love which she noted was unprecedented.

Speaking further, she said that the presentation of the prize money would “encourage little children to read; to concentrate on their academics and do well. She prayed God for blessing on the governor to continue with his good works and God’s blessings on The NIGERIAN OBSERVER NEWSPAPERS .

A parent who witnessed the cash presentation Mrs. Otibhor who was overwhelmed with emotion said “It is God’s doing.”