ConstitutionLab, a civic tech organization has organized a competition among 15 secondary schools in Lagos for the purpose of increasing the students’ knowledge about the Nigerian Constitution.
ConstitutionLab is a civic tech organization which seeks to bridge the knowledge gap among Nigerians on the provisions of the Constitution to encourage inclusiveness in democratic and governance processes. It also seeks to achieve the Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plan of promoting Citizens’ contribution in Governance Process.
Brownson Etimbuk, TeamLead of ConstitutionLab, explained that the competition was aimed at actively engaging young citizens in Secondary schools preparing them to become active citizens and be conversant with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Director, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), appreciated the foresight of ConstitutionLab in organizing the event which according to him will promote inclusion of young people in democratic processes which is in line with the ideals of WFD. He charged the students to read the Constitution as that will keep them informed and prepare them effectively to become leaders as readers are leaders.
The 15 schools that participated in the competition were; Mainland Senior High School, New Era Girls Senior High School, Ajigbeda Girls Senior High School, Birreal Avenue Senior High School, Herbert Macaulay Girls Senior High School, Eletu Odibo Senior High School, Nwaru-deen Senior High School, Lagos City Senior College. Others included Aiyetoro Senior Grammar School, Surulere Girls Senior High School, Stadium Senior High School, Gbaja Girls Senior High School, Iganmu Senior High School, Araromi Senior High School and Sari Iganmu Senior High School.
After three rounds of an intense Competition, Mainland Senior High School came out First place, Iganmu Senior High School came Second place, while Birreal Avenue Senior High School came Third place.
There was also an award for the Best Student who will be the ConstitutionLab Secondary School Ambassador for District 4 and the Winner was Isiaka Monisola of Birreal Avenue Senior High School.
Certificates were presented to all participating students, gifts for the winners and cash prize for the Ambassador.
Reacting, one of the teachers, Mrs. Okeleye Olufunmilola was full of thanks and praise to ConstitutionLab for organizing such an event which is the first in the Country. She called on the Government and notable Nigerians to support the organization to increase their reach to other schools in the State and other States in Nigeria.
Various speakers at the event were; Daniel Nwaeze – Democracy and Rule of Law; Adenike Bamigbade – Corruption; Dapo Awobeku – Active Citizenship and Jinadu Olusola Olayemi, Assistant Director, Co-curricular, Science and Technology, Education District representing the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General of Education District 4.