On Wednesday 28th of November, 2018,was a very memorable day. On this day, Staff , students , parents , friends and well-wishers of International High School, Sapele, Delta- State, rolled out the drums to welcome their own who had made them proud – Miss Omesiri Odjegba winner of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition 2018, held in Lagos.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances , the English Composition Queen’s flight from Lagos earlier scheduled for Tuesday was cancelled and rescheduled for Wednesday. The suspense was almost frustrating. Every one wanted to hug and shake hands with our daughter who had written the name of our school, our city Sapele (can anything good come out of Israel ?) in gold and placed it on the Nigerian map again as a significant city. Not a hub of criminals, 419ners, drunkards or the poor in mind and body but a boisterous city of intellectual prowess, hardworking and committed parents and intelligent and promising children geared to become the solution providers for tomorrow’s nay even today’s Nigeria. I personally felt very disappointed that my distinguished student and her mum are not arriving on Tuesday. That evening my boss our amiable and indefatigable Big Mummy as we call her, Chief Mrs Betty Ofotokun sent me an sms that she thinks the postponement was for a good purpose so we can plan better to give her a grand reception.
So, as early as 9am on Wednesday, scores of students of International (as International High School Sapele is fondly called ) conducted by their teachers had trouped out to the busy Sapele Warri road to welcome their heroine. Heroine? Yes. They were lined up waving flags and white handkerchiefs by the pedestrian walk of that busy road not to welcome a Head of State or Governor or a musical idol or latest winner of big brother Africa. They came out to welcome their own, their friend and classmate – Omesiri who on Monday was declared prize winner in the finals of UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.
At the sight of scores of her friends and classmates teachers and well wishers all trying to catch a glimpse of her and how she was chaperoned into a chauffer driven car where she could stand and acknowledge the cheers from the crowd like a Governor or Head of State,Omesiri could not hold back her emotions as she shed tears of joy and surprise. She soon composed herself and adjusted to aknowledge the cheers with smiles raising the UBA champion’s trophy she won and a bouquet of flower presented to her on arrival at Osubi Airport by a pupil of International Junior School.
According to the organizers of the annual UBA National Essay Competition, up to six thousand entries for the essay by senior secondary students were received in their various areas of operations all over the country. From my own research , I found out that scores – possibly up to a hundred or more entries came in from Sapele alone. These entries from all around the country were shortlisted on merit to 12 finalist announced by UBA Foundation.
Of note was the fact that Omesiri was the only successful candidate that made it to the finals in her state- Delta –State. In a keenly contested competition, the candidates were made to write an essay on a given topic under the supervision of the organizers with their parents, teachers and well-wishers watching from a distance. The essay word limit was 750 words and the time limit was one hour. Omesiri’s essay which she titled Agricultural Revolution A Must for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery won the day.
The panel of Judges led by a University Professor of English in giving the pre result address stated that the essays were graded under the parameters of Content , Organization, Mechanical Accuracy and Expression.
On Saturday Night I could not sleep. I was convinced that on account of what my student had written earlier that day, and knowing her abilities having read and marked several of her essays in the past, that she was going to be the first prize winner . But I didn’t know the capabilities of the other students many coming from famous schools with high track record. So, on Sunday morning I called through her mum and repeated for the umpteent time that I know she was going to be the winner but added that in case she is not announced the winner she should not cry but should simply go and congratulate the winner. I reminded her that to have been shortlisted among 12 finalist among thousands of students and to be the only one from Delta State is already a great feat, adding that it was not a do or die afffair. Maybe I shouldn’t have said this. It got my student discouraged and anxious wondering if her hours upon hours of preparation were going to just land her with a handshake and pat on the head . I was thus not surprised to see her reaction when she was called out . I had told her don’t be intimidated by anyone and also don’t be over confident. I wanted to play safe. I was concerned about my student’s victory but I was also concerned about her happiness and self-esteem.
Omesiri really worked hard and I think International and her parents Engr and Mrs Blessing Odjegba also did too . I remember in one of our sessions I made her write 2 and a half essays in less than two hours . As she was was writing her second essay , I was busy scrutinizing the first. From my assessment I was convinced she had a score of above 80 % but I denied her the joy of knowing that at that momen (she now knows! ) because I wanted to get her to work harder at expunging every error, disunity of expression, wordiness etc and achieve clarity, coherence and excellence. I announced a score of 67% to her and encouraged her to rewrite that essay and aim at 85% . Later I raised the challenge mark to 90 % and finally a day to the competition announced to her to aim at 100% even though I knew that this was practically impossible in English Composition even for a First Speaker.
All this said, I believe I am just fortunate to be the teacher to have directly prepared Omesiri for the UBA Essay competition. Her ingenuity and excellent performance is a conglomeration of the impact on her by scores of excellent teachers of International led by the Proprietress herself and the Principal Mr Bright Ogboru right from her kindergarten days. I however must particularly acknowledge my colleague Mr Irikefe Emekpu and her parents The Odjegbas for also helping out in checking her essays on some days I was not available.
Omesirii’s victory is well deserved both for her and for International Junior and High Schools and her family.
My advice to all students is believe in your dreams and work hard at it . Don’t be discouraged at failure but aim at success and raise your game every day .Don’t be lazy in your studies but use your study time well .Read wide and ask your teachers questions. If you can do this , then get ready to be the next Omesiri Odjegba be it in a Quiz competition , Science competition , Mathematics competition , Spelling Bee or Debate competition.
Perspire to acquire the desire that you admire for ‘the heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight but they while their companions slept toiled on all through the night.’(H.W.Longfellow)
Congratulations to my dear student .This is just the beginning for you . There shall be greater achievements for you because I know like you promised at the grand reception for you on Wednesday that by God’s grace, you will continue to be a worthy ambassador of International High School, of Sapele , of Delta State and now I can boldly say of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To God be the glory.
Ulisanmi Edukugho December, 2018.
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