The State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu stated this in Asaba during the award/prize giving ceremony of the Chris Ikomi memorial annual essay competition with the theme:" Nigeria -Going Green and Sustainable".
The essay competition is organized annually by the NNPC/Chevron Nigerian Limited Joint Venture, in memory of Late Chris Ikomi, a staff of the Chevron, who died in active service during the crisis in Warri in 1999.
Ezewu, who was represented by the Functioning Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Daniel Akiri said that the vision was being achieved as more students had shown enthusiasm for the competition across the State.
The Commissioner lauded the NNPC/Chevron Nigerian Limited Joint Venture for organizing the essay competition in memory of Chris Ikomi , stressing that NNPC /Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture had continued to sustain the initiative which began in 2001.
She stated that peace was one of the cardinal points of the MORE Agenda of Oborevwori's Administration, adding that the competition, which according to her , cut across students of diverse ethnic background would engender peace and harmonious relationship among the people of Delta State.
Ezewu, who said that the Ministry would always identify with programmes and strategic actions that were not only beneficial but also sustainable, noted that developmental actions must transcend ethnic divide, break barriers through resilience, dynamism and entrepreneurship.
The Commissioner congratulated the winning students for imbibing the excellence spirit of forward ever, backward never for their achievement just as she thanked the NNPC/Chevron Nigerian Limited Joint Venture for the sponsorship of the 2025 edition of the competition by creating opportunity of reviving the Nigerian spirit among the students.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jim Swartz , represented by the Area Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigerian Limited, Warri, Mr. Riwanu Momodu said that the event was not only designed to celebrate the power of words but also to remember the endearing legacies of a man whose life inspired people.
Swartzs stated that the competition was instituted in memory of Chris Ikomi, emphasizing that it was a platform for nurturing minds of the future leaders and a place where critical thinking and expression could be nurtured and celebrated .
He explained that the primary objective of the competition was to encourage students to develop their reasoning and articulation skills through creative writing while also enthroning the spirit of friendship and healthy competition.
In their separate remarks, the Director of Schools, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Winifred Ighavbota and a representative of Chris Ikomi's family, Dr. Emma Ikomi noted that the competition was a testament to Chris Ikomi's enduring legacy and commitment to education.
While urging the winning students to see the recognition as an inspiration to strive foy excellence, Ighavbota and Dr. Emma Ikomi told the students that integrity, commitment, honesty and dedication to work were the core values that would engender greatness.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of prizes to three best students in both junior and senior categories of the competition.
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