Six States square up for Lafarge literacy competition finale

Six States square up for Lafarge literacy competition finale

ON November 8, 2017 3:55 PM / IN Education / BY Ugoh Solomon Chinonso
By Dayo Adesulu
All is set for the grand finale of the 4th Lafarge Africa National Literacy Competition. Twelve students from Plateau, Kano, Ondo, Edo, Gombe and Anambra will battle for the coveted prize. Each of the 6 states is represented by two students that won at the respective regional finals that took place in October.
Public school students from the 109 senatorial districts in the country took part in the competition which evaluates their reading, essay/summary writing and spelling abilities.
Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem,Director of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development says, “the competition seeks to touch lives of our diverse people in a sustainable wayand Lafarge Africa Plc ispleased with the positive impact we have made in the past four years”. Over 2,700 public primary school students took part in the competition.
Over 200,000 primary school pupils across 244 local government areas (LGAs) have been impacted since the competition began in 2014.
Faith Toun-Agbai and Hassan Yesufu, winners of the South-South regional competition will be representing Edo State in the upcoming finale. According to them “the competition has improved our spelling, reading and writing; this makes us feel we can still achieve our goals. We will like to thank Lafarge Africa Plc for sponsoring this competition”
National Literacy Competition is one of the initiatives of Lafarge Africa Plc to support government efforts in raising the standard of English Language in public primary schools. It is in line with the company’s sustainability strategy – The 2030 Plan – with the ambition to enhance the quality of life for all. The 2030 Plan is grouped into 4 pillars: Climate, Circular Economy, Water and Nature and People & Communities. The literacy competition falls under the People & Communities pillar.
According to Mrs. Ambrose-Medebem“Education is a priority under the People & Communities pillar; the National Literacy Competition is one way we intend to make a difference in the lives of Nigerians.”
Primary school students between the ages of 9 and 13 years are the primary target of the competition, which is organized with support from the respective State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) and the Ovie Brume Foundation, Lafarge Africa’s implementation partner.