Four Nigerians in top 10 of Commonwealth writing award

Four Nigerian teachers are among top 10 winners of the Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition this year for stories that address the theme “Belonging”. Kaduna-based teacher Ngozi Razak-Soyebi’s story, There’s Always a First Time, depicting the struggles of an abandoned street child, came overall second among 130 entries across Commonwealth member states. Also among the […]

Four Nigerian teachers are among top 10 winners of the Commonwealth Class Story Writing Competition this year for stories that address the theme “Belonging”.

Kaduna-based teacher Ngozi Razak-Soyebi’s story, There’s Always a First Time, depicting the struggles of an abandoned street child, came overall second among 130 entries across Commonwealth member states.

Also among the top 10, Olamide Aluko’s story Mojisola finished in sixth palce, Peter Brown and Vera Obiakor, both with entries titled Belonging came eighth and ninth respectively.

Harriet Thompson, deputy high commissioner of the British High Commission, presented the awards to the winners in Abuja on Friday after excerpts of each winning entry was read by their authors.

The Commonwealth Class is a campaign to connect teachers and students around the world.

It is to “encourage students to collaborate and learn together, and consider how they can be more active and responsible global citizens as part of the Commonwealth family,” said Louisa Waddingham, director of programmes at the British Council.

Tunde Akogun, president of the Commonwealth Society Nigeria, said, “We believe as citizens of the world, it is our duty to collaborate with our various missions and organisations within the Commonwealth to assist in finding solutions to issues ranging from poverty, human rights, HIV/AIDS, armed conflicts, terrorism, climate change, education.”

The winning stories are expected published in dailies and on the council’s website.