By Bennett Oghifo
The 2016 winners of the annual essay competition of Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde Youths Development Foundation (PLOYDEF) have been rewarded at an award ceremony held in Abuja recently.
The secondary category of the essay competition with the topic, “The Danger of Joining a Cult Group in the School” was held across all the twelve regions in North Central Nigeria of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
Olawumi Michael from North Central Region 1, Utako took the first position. There was a tie of three of contestants for the second position. Akoji Joel Victor of MFM North Central Region 6, Karu, Tamunoko Stephen from Lugbe Region and Goodluck Olajumoke from Utako region emerged joint winners of the second prize.
Deborah Oparinde from Kuje region came third. There was another tie of four contestants for the fourth position – Esther Bolaji, Usiena Meseh, Usman Godwin and Adeda Deborah.
In the junior secondary category, Ayomide Lambe from MFM North Central Region 33 Byazhin was the overall winner.
The second position went to Efedayo Emmanuel from Bwari Region and the third position was shared between two contestants.
The 2016 edition of the essay competition which was keenly contested by over five hundred students in both the senior and junior secondary schools categories was a great improvement from the previous editions.
Many consolation prizes were given to contestants who scored over 50% during the essay competition.
First prize winners in all the categories were given HP Laptop computers, while all second prize winners got iPads and the third prize winners went home with DVD players. 54 Consolation prizes were also given out.
Speaking at the award giving ceremony, the chairman of the board of PLOYDEF, Dr. Etim Amba commended all the contestants who participated in the essay competition and thanked their parents and wards that facilitated it in one way or another.
Amba further stated that PLOYDEF was formed to honour Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde, one of the pioneer pastors that started MFM Abuja branch as it was then called in 1995.
Amba said:“PLOYDEF is in recognition of Pastor Lawrence Olasehinde’s contributions to the growth and development of MFM in the North-Central Nigeria, his total commitment to his assignment, loyalty to the church and dedication to the vision of MFM. This is why a few members of North-Central Regions decided to honour him by setting up a Foundation with his name. Pastor Lawrence is not funding the foundation and he is not involved in its management in any way.
“The objective of the foundation is to assist in laying a solid foundation for the youths in exemplary Christian character. The activities of the foundation include creating awareness for fostering desirable character traits in the youths in addition to grooming them to becoming good citizens and formidable soldiers of the faith.
Prince Patrick Odifu Egbune Passes On
The children of late Prince Odifu Egbune regret to announce the passage of one of the stars of the family, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, Dr. Prince Patrick Anene Odifu Egbune who died after a brief illness. Egbune left secondary school in 1972 and had his Master degree in Colorado and Doctorate degree in Denver both in United States of America. After a fruitful career in legal practice in Colorado, he retired to his hometown, Issele Uku about five years ago and contributed immensely in maintaining peace and security in the town. He generously transferred his wealth of experience and knowledge to the upcoming generation. He will be remembered as a man who stood for the truth at all times against all odds. He passed on January 31, 2017 at the age of 60. According to a statement signed by Chukwunweizei Odifu Egbune, Prince Egbune was buried on April 21, 2017 in his family compound in Issele Uku in Delta State.
