Entries open for 15th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition

The entries for the 15^th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Nigeria open from March 26th to June 1st, 2018.

The competition which is one of Dr. Mike Okonkwo’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities, is aimed at raising the standard in the educational sector in the country and at the same time sensitizing the students by making them analytically minded so as to excel in their world by developing their ability to think through issues. This National Essay competition is also a part of the activities lined up to mark the 73^rd Birthday of Dr. Mike Okonkwo, The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).

The topic for this year’s competition is “Nigeria’s Unity: Matters Arising”.

Over the years the competition has been very successful in reshaping the thought pattern of the students to develop problem-solving skills.The Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition spans over a decade of developing and rewarding the writing skills of Nigerian youths towards national development.

Like previous years, the star winner school gets three sets of desktop computers and a printer, while the student goes home with a trophy, Laptop, plaque and a cash gift of N100,000.00. The first runner up school gets two sets of desktop computers and a printer and the student goes home with a cash prize of N75,000.00 and a plaque. The second runner up school gets a desktop computer, while the student gets a plaque and a cash prize of N50,000.00.

For participation in the 15^th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students, the entry requirements include: Essay of maximum of 2000 words, a Passport Photograph of the Student, Full Name, Address, Contact Telephone Number, Class, School and Name and Telephone contact of the Principal. Essay could be submitted through email to essay@trem.org or by post to The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) International Headquarters, Obanikoro/ Anthony-Oke, Bus Stop Lagos.

Topics handled over the years include: 2004 edition (Securing the Nigerian future: Improving the standards of education), 2005 edition (Building leaders for tomorrow a collective responsibility), 2006 edition (Lawlessness and the rule of law in the Nigerian society), 2007 edition (Political office and governance: For gain or service?), 2008 edition (The role of the judiciary in sustenance of democracy), 2009 edition (Global economic trend: The alternatives for Nigeria), 2010 edition (Nigeria @ 50: Its leadership, development and the future), 2011 edition (Survival of the Nigerian state: Political and economic implications), 2012 edition (Dependence of Nigeria economy on crude oil – Any alternatives?), 2013 edition (Overcoming the Nigerian security challenges: A panacea for national growth and development). In 2014 the topic was (The Power of Your Vote: A catalyst for a stable and united Nigeria), 2015,(The Nigerian Political Class and the Citizens Quest for Good Governance), 2016,(The State of the Nigerian Nation: Redefining our Values) and in 2017 the topic was(Made in Nigeria Products: The Vehicle for Sustainable Development).

The prizes for this year’s competition will be presented to the winners at the 19^th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, which has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 5th, 2018 at the Muson Centre (Shell Hall) by 10.00 am prompt. The topic of the Essay Competition is also the topic for this year’s Annual Lecture.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) a.k.a. Power in the Word with over 200 branches in Nigeria and across the globe. He is an Apostle to this generation, whose life has impacted millions around the world. A father to many, and a pastor to pastors across the globe, Dr. Mike Okonkwo is also a dynamic conference speaker, crusade evangelist, a national spokesman for Nigeria, and an advocate of balanced Christianity.

As the host of ‘Power in the Word’ a life-transforming television broadcast series, Dr. Okonkwo’s Holy Spirit inspired insight into the Word of God is remarkably outstanding and empowers millions in Nigeria and across the globe. He is also the host of ‘Power for the Wise’ a daily devotional program on radio that is transforming lives on a daily basis. He is equally an author whose books have been life transforming tools in the hands of those who have been privileged to come in contact with them.

Dr. Mike Okonkwo holds several doctorate degrees and honorary awards. He is the Convener of the Communion of Covenant Ministers International (CCMI) a gathering of Pastors designed for Fellowship, Spiritual Covering, Mentoring, Strengthening and Networking, through conferences, seminars and other interactive sessions. He is a member of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

He is a man driven by the passion to show the love of God to humanity in every way the Lord enables him. This passion gave birth to the Empowerment for the Less Privileged Foundation, a non-governmental organisation committed to alleviating the plight of the less-privileged in the society through donations to hospitals, establishment of free vocational training centres, running free preparatory schools for students in the secondary schools, and facilitating regular public enlightenment campaigns on health issues amongst others. He also pioneers a scholarship fund for talented students. His strong faith and confidence in women and the potential in women gave him a place on the board of Trustees of the Women of Global Impact (WGI) a non-governmental organization putting smiles in the faces of women by providing Shelter to the homeless and also organizes free medical fair for both men and women across the nation amongst other things.

To contribute his quota to national development he started the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in 2000 and the lecture has grown to become a major contributor to government policies as it brings together seasoned men and women to discuss burning national issues. The Essay Competition has contributed in no small measure in encouraging the writing skills of children in secondary school and also to help them become solution providers to the nation.

In 2012, he was given a National Honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) by the Federal Government. Bishop Mike Okonkwo is married to Bishop Peace Okonkwo and they are blessed with a daughter, Uche.