Fidelity Bank empowers young writers with millions in cash prizes through Read2Lead initiative
By Esther Agbo
Fidelity Bank Plc has taken a significant step towards supporting education in Nigeria by rewarding the top three finalists of its Read2Lead writing competition with millions of naira in cash prizes. The competition, which aimed to enhance students’ creative writing abilities, culminated in a prize-giving ceremony where three students from The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State, emerged victorious.
Iremide Ogunyemi was crowned the overall winner, receiving N2 million in cash, a publishing deal worth N2 million, and an additional N2 million earmarked to improve her school’s library. First runner-up Mfeheke Okoko was awarded N1.5 million, while Daniella Orji, the second runner-up, walked away with N1 million.
Speaking at the prize presentation, Fidelity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, emphasised the bank’s commitment to fostering educational growth in Nigeria through initiatives like Read2Lead. She explained that the competition was part of a broader strategy to instil a culture of reading and writing among young Nigerians.
“The Read2Lead initiative, encapsulates our approach to instilling a culture of reading and writing among young people. As highlighted by the esteemed American journalist, critic, and social reformer, Margaret Fuller, ‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader’; we believe that igniting our youths’ imagination early can unlock their potential and set them on a path to success.
“Beyond Read2Lead, Fidelity Bank is committed to various initiatives aimed at enhancing the standard of education and ensuring the next generation is well-equipped to drive our nation’s future. Recently, we hosted our second webinar focused on businesses within the education sector, where industry leaders discussed ways to maintain educational standards amidst rising operating costs,” Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe said, represented by Executive Director of the South Directorate, Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo.
The Read2Lead competition, organised under Fidelity Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) education pillar, was a multi-phase writing contest aimed at unlocking the creative potential of secondary school students. The program consisted of three stages, which saw participation from students across the country.
In the first stage which is called “The National Writing Showdown,” over 3,000 students took part in a creative writing task, out of which the top 150 writers were selected. The second stage, known as “The Sweeta Writing Mastery,” required these 150 participants to read a novel and create an alternate ending. This narrowed the competition to the top 30 finalists, who then participated in the final stage, “The Author’s Workshop,” an intensive writing boot camp conducted by professional writers and facilitators.
