Heirs Insurance Group has announced the winners of its 2024 Essay Championship, with a total of N8 million in scholarships awarded. The winners were revealed during a ceremony at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, an event hosted by the group for finalists, their parents, and school representatives.
Hephzibah Chidi, from Seacrest Preparatory in Rivers State, emerged as the first-place winner, securing a N5 million scholarship for her essay titled “The Story of My Hero.” In addition, her school, Seacrest Preparatory, received a N1 million grant to support an educational project.
Pemisire Owolabi from Quest College, Oyo State, claimed second place, receiving a N2 million scholarship, while Mariam Raheem from Isador Model School, Lagos State, took third place, earning a N1 million scholarship.
The winners were celebrated in the presence of their parents, school representatives, and prominent guests, including the director general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii along with the MD/CEO of Heirs Life Assurance and sector head of Heirs Insurance Group, Niyi Onifade and MD/CEO of Heirs Insurance Brokers, Tony Aniemeke.
Elated Chidi said “I feel ecstatic, actually. I wasn’t expecting this. I was actually expecting to just, you know, get one of the positions at least, because that would be a fulfilling thing. I was just after the prizes, but being here, standing as a winner, knowing that I made my school proud, makes me really happy.” The 13 years old winner said the award has inspired her to do better in her educational pursuit.
The 2024 competition attracted nearly 5,000 participants from Junior Secondary Schools across Nigeria, showcasing creative and innovative ideas. The event underscores Heirs Insurance Group’s commitment to supporting education and advancing financial literacy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Onifade emphasised the group’s dedication to education and financial empowerment. “At Heirs Insurance Group, we understand that education is a pathway to a better future and a catalyst for financial empowerment. Through this Championship, we are nurturing young talent and bridging the financial literacy gap, fulfilling our purpose of improving lives and transforming Nigeria.”
Onifade also commended all participants, noting, “I am proud of the creativity and critical thinking displayed by our finalists and every student who submitted an essay. These young minds are shaping the future of our country, and we are proud to support them.”
The essays were evaluated by a distinguished panel of academic professionals, led by a Professor of English. After rigorous evaluation, the top 15 essays advanced to further rounds, culminating in the selection of the top three finalists. Deloitte & Touche was engaged as an independent quality assurer to ensure a transparent and fair grading process.
The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship is a major component of the group’s corporate social responsibility initiative, aimed at improving the quality of education and promoting financial literacy. The championship also helps to identify emerging talent and foster a closer relationship between parents, children, and the insurance industry through extended financial literacy workshops.