Rivers State has emerged
the overall zonal winner of the larfarge Ovie Brume National Literacy Competition for the South-South Zone.
Rivers State which was represented by Model Primary School, Onne and State School, Ogale scored a total of 74 points to emerge the zonal champion while Edo and Akwa-Ibom States emerged first and second runner-up respectively.
By this feat, Rivers State will represent the South South zone at the competition later in the year in Lagos. Executive Director of Ovie Brume Foundation, Mrs Iwalola Akin-Jimoh said that the competition was to promote literacy among Nigerian youths.
Mrs Jimoh also said that the foundation is dedicated to creating enabling environment for creativity in Nigeria, adding that the foundation also believed in excellence.
According to her, the foundation not only respects the right of children, but also encourages professionalism, stressing that the partnership with larfarge which started in 2012 has impacted positively on over 750 children across the country.
She said that at the grand finale in Lagos, participants would be taught skills to improve literacy levels in their various communities.
Also speaking, the Logistics Manager of Larferge Atlas Cement, Mr Hycinth Bakel said that the company remains committed to promoting academic excellence among pupils in primary schools across the country and creating opportunities.
For them to sharpen their literacy skills as well as build their self-confidence in line with its corporate social responsibilities, Mr. Baakel who represented the General Manager of the company Mr. Shefumi Adewumi described education as the bedrock of development many country and the gateway to success in life.
“This is why Lafarge Africa has opportunities and platforms where Nigerian children will be given the needed support to help them realise the potentials in them to achieve excellence.
Statement from the company also revealed that successes were recorded during the first edition.
“More importantly, its impact on pupils and on the development of education in Nigeria is gradually growing”, it said.
