Academic excellence took centre stage in Onitsha over the weekend as outstanding students from secondary schools across the city competed in the maiden edition of the Onitsha Best Student Challenge, a Personal Community Development Service initiative of a serving National Youth Service Corps member, Ezinwa Ifechukwu.
The highly competitive academic contest, which was hosted at Divine Kids School, Fegge, Onitsha, brought together some of the brightest students from different senior secondary schools in a keenly contested intellectual showdown aimed at promoting the values of education, discipline, and academic excellence among young people in the commercial city.
The competition witnessed a thrilling display of brilliance, confidence, and scholarly depth as participants engaged in rigorous academic tasks that tested their knowledge across key subjects. At the end of the contest, Anthony Victory Chukwukamso of Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, emerged overall winner with an impressive 94 points to clinch the Onitsha Best Student crown. He was closely followed by Chukwudubem Chukwuma Michael of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, who came second; while Anyalogbu Chukwudalu Collins of St Charles College, Onitsha, finished in third position with 79 points.
Speaking on the event and its outcome, the host, Ezinwa Ifechukwu, described the maiden edition of the academic challenge as a resounding success and a clear proof that Onitsha is home to exceptionally brilliant young minds who only require encouragement, motivation, and proper guidance to reach their full potential. He noted that beyond competition, the initiative was designed to redirect the energy of young people towards education and intellectual growth, especially at a time when societal distractions have continued to threaten academic focus.
He further expressed appreciation to the National Youth Service Corps in Anambra State for approving and supporting the project, particularly commending the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Pauline Ojisua, for her commitment to innovative community development efforts. Gratitude was also extended to the Onitsha Zonal Inspector, Mrs Kwazu Ethel, and the Onitsha South Local Government Inspector, Mrs Gladys Ofurum, for their unwavering guidance, presence, and administrative support throughout the planning and execution of the project.
On a special note, Ezinwa lauded the Chief Sponsor and Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, popularly known as Enyioha, who is also a member of the PDP Board of Trustees. The host lauded him for his consistent investment in education and youth development, describing his support as instrumental to the success of the event and a reflection of genuine commitment to building the next generation of leaders.
Other dignitaries who graced the event include Hon Fred C. Ezenwa, Member representing Onitsha South I in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Jude Umennajiego, Member representing Onitsha South II, the Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon Emeka Orji, and Mr Ozi Anieto, a prominent Onitsha community leader, all of whom were acknowledged for their show of solidarity and encouragement towards educational advancement in the area.
The technical execution of the competition was powered by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers who ensured the smooth delivery of the programme, while students and education stakeholders across the city hailed the initiative as timely and impactful.
Beyond the prizes and recognition, the competition, according to the organizer, left a deep emotional impact, particularly when one of the participants from Christ the King College expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organiser for creating a platform that allowed students to prove their intellectual worth. This moment, according to the organiser, reinforced his belief that Onitsha youths are limitless in potential and that academic excellence must stand side-by-side with street intelligence for true societal progress.
Education stakeholders present at the event also called for the sustainability of the initiative, stressing that many children are gradually losing focus and that projects such as the Onitsha Best Student Challenge are critical to restoring faith in education as the surest path to personal and societal development.
The organiser expressed optimism that the competition would become an annual academic tradition in Onitsha, anchored on collective support and shared belief in the power of education to transform lives.
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