Labour Party Unveils ₦2.8 Million Essay Competition for Abia Students to Shape the Future of ‘New Abia’

The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party has launched a statewide essay competition with a total prize pool of ₦2.8 million, inviting secondary and tertiary institution students to contribute ideas on governance and the future development of the state.

The initiative, unveiled on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat in Umuahia, is designed to promote civic engagement, democratic values, and greater youth participation in public policy while encouraging students to critically examine the progress made under the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti.

Speaking during the launch, the State Secretary of the Labour Party, Chuks Akamadu, described the competition as the first of its kind by the party in Abia State, noting that it reflects the party’s commitment to empowering young people through intellectual engagement.

According to Akamadu, the essay competition is themed “The New Abia and Need for Consolidation,” a topic aimed at encouraging students to assess the achievements of the current administration and propose practical ideas that will sustain the state’s developmental progress.

He explained that beyond rewarding academic excellence, the competition seeks to provide a platform for young Abians to actively participate in conversations that shape governance and public policy.

“We are doing this because the Labour Party is a political party that is alive to its responsibilities in a democratic society. We are committed to educating citizens, promoting democratic values, and encouraging greater youth participation in the political process,” Akamadu said.

Prize Categories

The competition is divided into two categories:

Category A – Secondary School Students

– 1st Prize: ₦500,000

– 2nd Prize: ₦300,000

– 3rd Prize: ₦250,000

Category B – Tertiary Institution Students

– 1st Prize: ₦1,000,000

– 2nd Prize: ₦500,000

– 3rd Prize: ₦250,000

In addition to the top prizes, outstanding participants outside the winning positions will receive consolation awards, while the schools attended by the winners will also be specially recognised by the party.

Participants are expected to submit essays of not more than 1,500 words electronically to the Labour Party’s official email address on or before July 17, while the winners will be announced and honoured during a prize presentation ceremony scheduled for August 3.

Akamadu commended Governor Alex Otti’s administration for what he described as remarkable achievements over the past three years, noting that the progress recorded inspired the essay competition.

He emphasized that the initiative is more than a literary contest, describing it as an opportunity for young people to influence the future of Abia through constructive ideas and policy recommendations.

“The future of Abia belongs to our young people. Through this competition, we are giving them a voice to contribute to the political and developmental conversation shaping our state,” he added.

The competition further underscores the Labour Party’s efforts to deepen civic education, encourage critical thinking among students, and foster a generation of young leaders committed to the continued development of Abia State.