The credibility and popularity of the essay competition grows with each year it is run. The number of participants increased to 198 which is very encouraging for a continent where few students have any knowledge of the basic principles of a free society. They came from 10 countries – Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa.
For the second year running Moses Oluwanifise, won the essay competition organised by AfricanLiberty.org in conjunction with The Nation, one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers and here he is getting his prize of $1,000 with Hannah Ojo who was joint fourth. Moses won $1,000 with a return ticket to an upcoming conference to be run by AfricanLiberty.org in Kenya. Hannah and Moses are pictured.
Remarks and Result
A total of 198 essays were graded and the score ranges between 0 per cent and 78 percent. The total mark was allocated into four different areas as listed below:
1) Understanding and discussion of the issues: This measures the level/deepness of understanding of the key concepts display by the writer. It also measures the extent to which the writer was able to address the key issues in the topic and the strength of the argument as relate to the topic under discussion
2) Organization and clarity of thought: This measures the extent at which the writer was able to convey his message clearly and the appropriateness of the method of organization.
3) Presentation and prose: This measures the flow and how the choice of word helps in conveying the message .
Broadly, the performance seems to be on the average.Some writers displayed very high level understanding of pro-market principles while some copied and submitted non-original essays.
Winners are:
-1ST Prize = Oluwanifise Moses Abiodun( Obafemi Awolowo University-Nigeria)
-2ND Prize=Omoh Nicholas Kelubia (University of Benin-Nigeria)
-3RD Prize=Dave Mankhokwe Namusanya (University of Malawi)
(2)-4TH Prize =Ojo Hannah Modupe (Obafemi Awolowo University-Nigeria) and Marcus Adeniyi (University of Ilorin)
Consolation Prizes
- Igono Victor Ojonugwa (Ahmadu Bello University-Zaria)
- Wasswa Mattia (Gulu University-Uganda)
- Wasike N Wamalwa (Moi University-Kenya)
- Julius Odeke ( Makarere University-Uganda)
- EKere Godwin (University of Jos-Nigeria)
- Seid Demeke Mekonnen (Mekelle University-Ethiopia)
- Egbune Onyeloni (Delta State University-Nigeria)
- Nelson Custódio Raúl Vidro (Quelimane-Mozambique)
- Wiredu Darlington (University of Ghana Business School)
It was reported in both Nigeria and Malawi
Cutting from the Campus Life section of the Nigerian Nation Newspaper about the 2012 Essay competition. (October 11th 2012).
To travel to Kenya
The winners of the essay contest organised by AfricanLiberty.org in conjunction with The Nation newspaper have been presented with their prizes. The presentation ceremony was held in Computer Auditorium, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) last Monday.
The competition, which was put together for students in African countries, was held between June 7 and July 20 with three topics – The Predatory State: Its Origin and Implication for Economic Growth; Statism or Free Markets: An Essential Ingredient for Africa’s Economic Growth?; Protectionism or Trade: Alternatives for Africa’s Economic Growth.
The winners of the essay were announced on August 9. They are Moses Oluwanifise (first prize), OAU, Nicholas Omoh (second prize), University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Dave Mankhokwe (third prize), University of Malawi. Hannah Ojo, OAU, and Marcus Adeniyi, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) shared the fourth prize.
Moses, who also won the 2011 edition of the essay, received $1,000 cash prize and scholarship to attend a Free Society conference in Kenya. Other first, second and their runners up also received $750, $500 and $300 with return tickets to Kenyan conference.
The presentation also featured a seminar tagged From poverty and serfdom to prosperity and freedom. The African Liberty Organization is an initiative for Africans who want genuine development for Africa. They establish African Liberty Student Foundation in different universities and also organize seminars and essay competitions in collaboration with the schools and newspaper.
The Director of Outreach of Africa Liberty Organisation, Mr Adedayo Thomas, urged the students embrace free market economy, which he said remained the solution Nigeria’s developmental problem. He noted that the competition, which has been on for three years, recorded its largest entries with about 221 students applied from various African countries. He said 197 entries were later accepted.
Thomas said the aim of the essay was to develop the interest of students in practical economic issues which will bring them out of poverty. He said the organisation also promoted reading culture among students, which is why it always donates free books to higher institutions and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Equally present at the ceremony were the Dean Faculty of Arts, Prof. Salami represented by Prof. Segun Adekoya, The Dean Students Affairs, Dr.Mrs Durosinmi able represented by Mrs I.F Awofoye; The Head Counselling Unit, DSA, Mrs C.B Obisakin; Mrs A.O Awofisayo, members of Moses Class, friends and well wishers.
Moses told CAMPUSLIFE: “I have been writing essay since my 100-Level days and the last year edition was the first time I won any essay prize. It is not all the time you win but participating is the most important thing.”
Hannah, who was visibly elated, said: “When you do something, you expect result; so I am very grateful that I was among the winners.”
The programme was ended with donation of books to OAU main library. The students that attended the presentation were also given free compact disc containing information about the organisation and over 80 texts on political economy.
From The Daily Times, Malawi.
Chanco student triumphs in continental competition
MONDAY, 06 AUGUST 2012 08:06
TEMWANI MGUNDA
At a time when the heartrending song being echoed across the country is that of a dying culture of reading and writing among the youth, 22-year-old Chancellor College student, Dave Namusanya, has emerged third in the Africa Liberty Essay Writing Competition which called for entries from youthful African writers.
The organisers of the competition, African Liberty and Network for a Free Society, have announced the results on their website, www.africanliberty.org, which indicate that the overall winner out of a total of 198 participants who submitted their essays is Oluwanifise Moses Abiodun from Obafemi Awolowo University of Nigeria while on the second position is Omoh Nicholas Kelubia from University of Benin also in Nigeria with Namusanya from University of Malawi coming third.
To qualify for the competition, participants were asked to submit essays of not more than 1,500 words on any of the three topics: The Predatory State: Its Origins and Implications for Economic Growth, Statism; Free Markets: An essential ingredient in Africa’s Economic growth? And Protectionism or Trade: Alternatives for Africa’s economic growth.
Speaking in an interview with The Daily Times, Namusanya said his winning essay was on the alternatives for Africa’s economic growth, focusing on the aspect that the continent needs trade and not protectionism to develop.
“My essay dwelt on the topic of protectionism and trade. It is my conviction that it is only through trade that Africa can develop just like was the case with what led to the development of Western countries,” explained Namusanya, adding that he is highly excited as he never expected to get the award and that out of all the winners he is the only Malawian to get the recognition.
For the feat achieved, Namusanya will receive $500 (approximately K135, 000) and a scholarship to the 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique. The winner and his runner-up will get $1000 and $700 respectively plus the same scholarship as Namusanya.
There are 10 consolation prizes going out to winners from various universities in other African countries like Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Ethiopia.
According to the website, the judges looked at “understanding and discussion of the issues, organization and clarity of thought as well as presentation and prose” to determine the winners.
“Broadly, the performance seems to be on the average. Some writers displayed very high level understanding of pro-market principles while some copied and submitted non-original essays,” reads the information in part.