The United Organization for Education and Sports Development in partnership with Maurice Akueme Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the Junior Secondary Schools Nigeria National Essay Writing Competition. This competition aims to provide a platform for junior secondary school students to showcase their writing skills, creativity, and critical thinking abilities while discussing issues of national importance and taking charge in problem solving. Nigeria, a country rich in human and natural resources, continues to grapple with numerous challenges that hinder its development and progress. Issues such as corruption, leadership failures, insecurity, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure have plagued the nation, affecting the quality of life for its citizens. However, amidst these challenges lies a beacon of hope - the Nigerian youth. With their energy, creativity, and determination, young people have the potential to drive positive change and transform their country. This essay competition invites junior secondary school students to explore the role of Nigerian youths in shaping their nation's future, addressing questions such as: What are the key challenges facing Nigeria, and how can young people contribute to solving them? Is it possible for the youths to save and reclaim Nigeria from total collapse at a time like this? What opportunities exist for youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship, and how can they be leveraged for national development? By examining these questions, students can showcase their understanding of the complexities facing Nigeria and propose innovative solutions to address them. Essay Topic: "The Power of Youth: Can They Transform Nigeria's Trajectory?" Preamble Nigeria's future is in the hands of its youth. As the next generation of leaders, it is essential to empower and inspire young people to take an active role in shaping their country's trajectory. This essay competition invites students to explore the potential of Nigerian youths to drive positive change and transform their nation. Eligibility The competition is open to students in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS 1-3) across Nigeria. Application Period The application period opens on April 14th, 2025, and closes on September 30th, 2025. There will be no extension to deadline. Late entries would void and can't be scored. Submission Guidelines - Essays should be typed and submitted as a Word document to: uoesdessaycompetition@gmail.com. - The essay should include the following information: - Name of entrant - School name - State of school location - Class of student - School address - Teacher or principal's phone number Essay Requirements - There is no minimum word count, but essays should not exceed 1000 words. - Essays should be well-researched, clearly argued, and free of grammatical errors. Awards - Fully funded undergraduate overseas scholarships through mentorship for the top winners - Monetary prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners - Award certificates of accomplishment for winners - Trophies - Gold, silver, or bronze awards for finalists, depending on their score as approved by judges - All shortlisted essays will be published on the UOESD National Magazine which will be made available during the award ceremony - The authors of the overall winning essays are given opportunity to read their essays on stage to national and international leaders from all spheres of life during the award ceremony Judging Criterion - Content (40%): Depth of analysis, relevance to the topic, and quality of arguments - Organization and structure (20%): Clarity, coherence, and logical flow of ideas - Writing style (20%): Grammar, syntax, and vocabulary - Originality and creativity (10%): Unique perspectives and innovative thinking - Adherence to submission guidelines (10%): Compliance with formatting and submission requirements More Information For more information about the competition, including rules and regulations, please visit (www.uoesd.org) We look forward to receiving your entries