Kwara Students Claim N850,000 in Inter-LG Quiz Victory
Winners of Kwara State Quiz Competition Celebrate Academic Excellence
Three public school students have been celebrated as winners of the Kwara State Inter-Local Government Quiz Competition on Agricultural Education Training Programme, securing a total prize of N850,000. This event highlighted not only academic prowess but also the importance of agricultural education and environmental sustainability.
Torkuma Perfect from St Anthony Secondary School emerged as the winner, receiving N500,000. Ibeh Daniel, also from St Anthony Secondary School, came in as the first runner-up with N250,000, while Abdulrahman Thani Fatimah from Queen Elizabeth School secured third place and received N100,000. The competition brought together at least 19 students from public basic schools across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The event was organized by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and marked the official launch of the Environmental Sustainability Club through a tree-planting initiative. This initiative aimed to foster a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility among students.
Governor's Vision for Education and Sustainability
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, emphasized that the quiz competition was designed to promote intellectual engagement, innovation, and healthy rivalry among students. He stated, “The Inter-Local Government Quiz Competition is more than an academic exercise but a platform for intellectual engagement, innovation, and healthy competition among students from across our sixteen local government areas.”
The governor also encouraged residents to cultivate the habit of tree planting, protect green spaces, and avoid indiscriminate waste disposal in schools and communities. According to a statement by Ameenat Abiola Atere, Press Secretary, Kwara SUBEB, the governor urged school children across the state to embrace agriculture as a pathway to food security, wealth creation, and economic growth.
A Dual Focus on Education and Environmental Sustainability
Represented by the SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Sheu Adaramaja, the governor described the initiative as a key pillar of his administration’s education and environmental sustainability agenda. “This event represents two critical pillars of our administration’s development agenda: quality education and environmental sustainability. It is particularly gratifying to see our young learners at the centre of this initiative,” he said.
“These children are the future leaders, innovators, farmers, scientists, and environmental stewards who will shape the destiny of our state and nation.” He added that agriculture should be seen not only as a means of subsistence but as a modern, technology-driven sector capable of creating wealth and ensuring food security.
“We are encouraging them to see agriculture not merely as a means of subsistence but as a modern, technology-driven sector capable of creating wealth, ensuring food security, and driving economic growth,” he said.
The Importance of Environmental Responsibility
On environmental sustainability, the governor highlighted the significance of tree planting. “The trees we plant today symbolise life, hope, resilience, and our collective responsibility to protect the environment,” he added. He explained that trees play a critical role in improving air quality, preventing soil erosion, and reducing carbon emissions.
The SUBEB mentioned that the Agricultural Education Training Programme is designed to expose pupils to modern agricultural practices and encourage interest in agribusiness. This initiative aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the state's agricultural and economic development.
Conclusion
The Kwara State Inter-Local Government Quiz Competition not only celebrated academic excellence but also underscored the importance of agricultural education and environmental sustainability. Through such initiatives, the state is fostering a generation of informed, responsible, and innovative young leaders who will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Kwara State and Nigeria as a whole.