By Henry Uche
The winner of Heirs Insurance Group 2024 Essay Championship, Hephzibah Chidi of Seacrest Preparatory in Rivers State has bagged a N5 million scholarship with her winning essay and presentation of ‘The Story of My Hero’.
In addition to the N5 million scholarship, Hephzibah Chidi’s school was awarded a N1million grant to support an educational project.
Other winners include: Pemisire Owolabi from Quest College in Oyo State, won second place with a N2million scholarship, while Mariam Raheem from Isador Model School in Lagos State, won the third-place position with a N1million scholarship.
All winners received their awards in the presence of their parents and school representatives, including, Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii.
This year’s Championship attracted about 5,000 participants from Junior Secondary Schools nationwide, all showcasing exceptional creativity and innovative ideas. The Championship highlights Heirs Insurance Group’s unwavering commitment to supporting education and promoting financial literacy.
At the event, Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO, Heirs Life Assurance, said: “At Heirs Insurance Group, we understand that education is not only a pathway to a better future but also a catalyst for financial empowerment. Through this Championship, we are nurturing young talent and bridging the financial literacy gap, fulfilling our purpose of improving lives and transforming Nigeria”.
Onifade praised all participants saying, “I am proud of the creativity and critical thinking displayed by our finalists, as well as every student who submitted an essay. These young minds are shaping the future of our country, and we are proud to support them.”
A distinguished panel of academic professionals, led by a Professor of English, rigorously evaluated each entry. The top 15 essays advanced to the next round of assessments, from which the top 3 finalists were chosen to compete in the grand finale.
To ensure the highest standards of fairness and transparency, Deloitte & Touche was engaged as an independent Quality Assurer throughout the grading process, guaranteeing a free and fair evaluation for all participants.
The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship is a key component of Heirs Insurance Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, geared towards enhancing the quality of education for the next generation. The Championship also highlights emerging talent, bringing parents and children closer to insurance through extended financial literacy workshops.