MULADE QUIZ AND ESSAY COMPETITION: Empowering Youths for a Brighter Future

The Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), proudly led by Amb. Chief Sheriff Mulade, held Her annual Quiz and Essay competition on Oct 14, 2025, at Federal Government College Warri, Delta state.

This prestigious event brought together talented Secondary School students from eight (8) rural/riverine Local Government Areas of Delta South Senatorial District such as Isaba Grammar School, Warri South West LGA; Obodo Secondary School, Warri South LGA; Omateye College Ajagbodudu, Warri North LGA; Agoloma Secondary School, Patani LGA; Esenaebe College, Bomadi LGA; Sokebolou Secondary School Burutu LGA; Emore Grammar School, oleh Isoko South LGA; and Akiewhe Secondary School, Isoko North LGA, while other participating schools are: Ogidigben Grammar School, Ogidigben, Warri South-West LGA, Oloduwa Secondary School, Opuama, Warri North LGA, Aviara Secondary School, Aviara, Isoko South LGA, Oketa Model Grammar School, Ofagbe, Isoko North LGA, Aven Secondary School, Aven, Patani LGA, Ogo-Eze Secondary Commercial School, Ogo-Eze Bomadi LGA, Ubeji Secondary School, Ubeji, Warri South LGA and Tuomo Grammar School, Tuomo, Burutu LGA. The event’s aims and objectives is for students to showcase their knowledge, skills, and creativities, and the winner’s take-home is the sum of N200,000, N150,000 and N100,000 as 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively, garnished with several scholarships, books and school bags for all the students, including none participants.

In his remarks, the Chief host, Amb. Sheriff Mulade, appealed to the three major ethnic groups, Itsekiri, ljaw and Urhobo, to shun violence and embrace peace in Warri Federal Constituency and promote peaceful coexistence in the State. He said: “The primary aim of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice is to promote educational awareness in the riverine/rural communities, and to assist the less privileged but highly intelligent students to pursue their education and career in life through scholarship support.

I appeal to the Government to pay more attention to the State’s educational sector especially riverine/rural schools, while multinational oil companies operating within the area should channel more of their Corporate Social Responsibility functions to educational development that will help to eradicate illiteracy and reduce civil unrest in their operational areas in line with Goal 4 of the SDGs as the importance of education in the advancement of a nation cannot be over emphasized.

Education is the back bone and the live wire of any economy and the bedrock of civilization. Show me any nation that is backward in development and I will show you a nation that has less interest in the educational advancement of the people. if Nigeria, the most populous black race in the world hope to meet up with high technological advancement, as seen in other civilized Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada, then the Country must take education seriously. The idea that our Children must be good educationally has been my goal hence I appeal to the government that we should constantly work to improve the standard of education in the Country as it will help to advance our children and make them different from what I witnessed in my disadvantageous past. It is hoped that, as we continue with this effort of sensitizing, promoting and creating awareness of the importance of education, through very competitive activities, other well-meaning Nigerians will join in this great desire to add value in the advancement of the youths through various knowledge based competitive activities that will stimulate learning”.

The event was quite revealing and educative. To further drive its aims and objectives, there was drama and powerful words of encouragement from the speakers and CIEs to inspire and motivate the students. The results, as announced, Eseanebe College and Isaba Grammar School came out Third and Second positions respectively while Obodo Secondary school came out as First.

The chairman, Delta State Civil Society Organization Forum, Prof Andrew Agboro, who in his remarks stated that the importance of education in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized, also revealed that it is not just about knowledge but also includes character, conduct, and moral values. Speaking in an interview with Godbless Eduviere, if Nigeria should prioritize economic development over environmental protection, Agboro siad: “they are both very important. Environmental protection is not just about the physical body and without the development of the economy, the society will collapse so government should concentrate on both”. Also, Speaking on the roles of traditional rulers in the promotion of peace and environmental justice, he said: “ the conflict prevent council is made up of the traditional rulers of the state and the none state actors. Traditional rulers have their subjects and they need to create awareness in terms of equality and decision making, increase capacity building and also monitor and enforce at the local level because sometimes, there are some policies that are not implemented at the local level and it would look as if there’s lawlessness. But if the policies are there, they should ensure the enforcements but if not, they should create and implemented them”, he added, urging Nigerian youths to be dedicated and develop themselves instead of relying on the Government for everything.

The CIE of Warri South, Dr Ugbeje Samson expressed gratitude to God and to the organizers of the event. He said: “the event is very eventful, resourceful and impactful. Chief Mulade has really impacted the lives of this children and I am sure it is a great experience that they will go home and remember for years to come. Sheriff have brought joy to these children and if you go deep and interview them, they will tell you that what happened today, will go a long way to put them in the pedestrian. This is also a challenge to those who were unable to participate but witnessed what happened here today. It will ginger them to be part of the program next year. On her part, CIE Warri North, Mrs. Oluwadamilanre Joy said: “this is an event that has really impacted the children positively and educationally and it has made them to be challenged to be able to put more into their studies because they have been exposed to that competitive spirit. If they go back home today, I know that those that didn’t come out well will sit up and when next they are called, they will do better. In fact, this exercise is a challenge to everyone. I appreciate the organizers for it and I urge those who are not opportune to be here to be encouraged and be part of it next year.

The CIE of Burutu, Mrs. Blessing ogba said: “this program gives me joy because it exposes the children to the reality of life that one day they will leave their creek into another world. Since they have come here for this occasion, it will make them sit up properly and I know that today, I am going to receive so many phone calls from people in my community and there’s going to be a big festival today because of what has happened here. I really appreciate this event and I pray that God Almighty should continue to bless Chief Mulade to continue with the good works he’s doing.

Indeed, Honorable Amb. Mulade is an astute leader with immeasurable love and concerns for his people and country. In everything he does, he espouses progress, joy, and foster peaceful coexistence amongst Nigerians. In fact, in the spirit of peace and joy, I therefore use this opportunity to announce CEPEJ upcoming soccer competition event tagged “Africa for Peace Sports Festival” as Mulade vowed to offers ₦10 Million to the winners. Event’s date is slayed for November 15, 2025. For more information on registration, competition rules, and schedules, please contact CEPEJ at their headquarters in Osubi, Delta State. Let's work together to empower the next generation of leaders and promote peace and development in our region.