Nigerian graduate,  Fa’izah Atu Muhammad,  wins regional essay contest

By Sodiq Adelakun

A Nigerian graduate of law, Fa’izah Atu Muhammad, has won the 2023  UONGOZI essay competition organised by the Institute of Tanzania for young Africans between the ages of 18 and 25 titled ‘2023 Youth Leadership Competition.’

The competition was competed by youths in 30 African countries.

According to a statement obtained from the website of the institute, Muhammad emerged victorious after defeating over 1,150 participants who also made entries for the continental competition.

“The positions of first runner-up went to Innocent Matekere from Tanzania; second runner-up, Sithandweyinkosi Sivela from Zimbabwe; third runner-up is Onwuka Dabeluchukwu Chiemelie from Nigeria, and the fourth runner-up is Manda Nixon from Cameroon,”the institute said.

Speaking further, the organizers noted that the essay competition was judged on the basis of originality, creativity, use of language and appropriateness of context of the theme.

It was also evaluated on the representation of the enormous variety of solutions and ideas on how to facilitate agricultural intra-trade within the African region.

The competition is meant to encourage young Africans to freely exhibit their writing skills, leadership skills and other inherent potential in them.

By winning the coveted prize in the keenly contested competition, Fa’izah Atu Muhammad, 22, made the country proud and also won for herself, the sum of $2,000 being the prize tag for the continental competition.

The prize will be formally presented to her on May 25th, 2023, in Accra, Ghana, at a ceremony to be hosted by the former President of Tanzania H.E Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and the Secretary General of African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mane.