CASER launches national essay competition to honour media icon Obaigbena

The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has officially launched the National Secondary School Essay Competition in honour of Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of the ThisDay/ARISE Group.

The initiative celebrates his profound legacy and lasting impact on journalism and broadcasting throughout Africa.

Announced with great pride, the competition aims to nurture a new generation of critical thinkers and ethical communicators among Nigeria’s youth.

By targeting secondary school students nationwide, the annual contest will promote excellence in writing, critical analysis, and research—core pillars of responsible journalism.

According to CASER, the competition comes at a crucial time when the digital age has brought not only access to vast information but also the growing threats of misinformation, cyberbullying, and declining media ethics.

This initiative seeks to restore focus on truth, clarity, and integrity in communication—values embodied by Prince Obaigbena’s trailblazing career.

“Prince Obaigbena has set a remarkable standard in media leadership, inspiring trust and innovation across the continent. We hope this competition will inspire students to follow in those footsteps, armed with the power of the written word,” said a spokesperson for CASER.

Essay Review and Judging Panel
Submissions will be judged exclusively by Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, a foremost Professor of Communication and Registrar of Baze University, Abuja. Professor Sunny Awhefada , a distinguished scholar from the Department of English and Literary Studies at Delta State University, Abraka, developed the evaluation criteria.

Prizes and Date of Award
The top three winning essays will receive the following cash prizes:
• 1st Prize: ₦500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira)
• 2nd Prize: ₦300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira)
• 3rd Prize: ₦200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)
Winners will be announced and awarded on 14 July 2025, coinciding with the birthday anniversary of Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

Inaugural Edition : Government College Ughelli
The maiden edition of the competition will be exclusive to students of Government College Ughelli (GCU), the alma mater of Prince Obaigbena. To ensure a smooth rollout, a Local Organising Committee (LOC) comprising members of the GCU Old Boys has been constituted as follows:

1. Mike Akoreh – Chairman
2. Efe Onomake – Alternate Chairman
3. Charles (Charlie) Umuakpero – Secretary
4. Oghenevwoke Edjere – Member
5. Sunny Ahanmisi – Member
6.Anthony Mukoro -Member

The committee will commence its duties immediately to coordinate all activities and ensure the successful implementation of the competition.