Ugo Aliogo
The Babatunde Edu Foundation has rewarded the three winners of the inaugural edition of the Babatunde Edu Memorial Youth Essay Competition with cash prizes.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Lagos organised by the foundation in conjunction with BAHM Anglican Church, the convener, Rev. Jaiye Edu, said the event was a theological essay competition for young people between the ages of 17 and 25, adding that the competition was organised in memory of his late father Chief Babatunde Edu.
According to him, due to his father’s love for academics, the competition was organised to honour his memory, stressing that on his path, he noticed that there was a gap among the youths especially in the areas of knowledge and theological understanding.
Edu added that the expectation is that the competition would encourage more theological reflections, while bringing them closer to God.
The first prize of N100,000 went to Ademola Ademola; Mesoma Aghazu won the second prize of N50,000; while Madu Favour got the third prize of N30,000. The other participants were given certificates of participation.
The clergyman explained that the competition is centered on issues in theology, adding that it is open to youths in Anglican Churches in Lagos Mainland Dioceses, and they are given the opportunity to choose from five essay topics.
He said the criteria for selection is that the individual has to be an Anglican and must be between the ages of 17 to 25, adding that in assessing the entries, they focussed on the individual’s ability to reason, argue constructively without taking sides, demonstrate the spirit of Anglican spirituality taking into account the distinctive qualities of the church.
“In the essay entries, we also consider the creativity of the writers and the person’s ability to tell a story. This competition will help to write better and the importance of writing. It helps you to understand the appreciation of being different. Writing is about having new ideas; it is about whether your ideas are accepted.
“We encourage them to use their writings to demonstrate new ideas and become independent; through this process they are able to bring innovations and inventions are brought into their work. It also helps them to avoid the act of plagiarism. I want to use this platform to encourage to the church to put more emphasis on theological learning and spiritual development.â€
