Over 25 winners and Student ambassadors were honoured at the prestigious award ceremony of The Dawn Project 2024 Competition Award and Prize Giving Ceremony, held recently at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos. The event which celebrated the exceptional work of art submitted by the winners of the competition also recognized and decorated the first ever School Ambassador with The Dawn Project Badges of Recognition.
Winners of the 2024 The Dawn Project Competition include Osaze David Izevbaye of Priory Preparatory School, Nakolise Kez-Igbokwe of Priory Preparatory School, Collins Blessing Sophia of Aguda Senior Grammar School came first, second and third in the writing category for age 7-14 years. Amara Nwuneli of Greenspring School, Danisa Emmanuella of the University of Ibadan and ZainabTewogbade of Vivien Fowler Memorial College for Girls, came first, second and their places in the Writing Category for age 14-17 years. While Abimbola Oduwole who is a graduate, Lucky Ajidoku who is a blogger and Fortune Anumi of Nnamdi Azikiwe University won the first, second and third places respectively in the Writing category for 18 years and above.
Speaking at the award and prize giving and event, Dr. Pamela Ajayi, Collaborator of The Dawn Project initiative expressed joy in the quality of involvement of young people in the fight against climate change, becoming and creating more awareness on the role that humans play in the plague and how the earth can be repaired by man. “The most encouraging thing for me is the fact that the young people are waking up. They are more alive to this and so hopefully, they will also take this message out.” she said.
The event was spiced up by live renditions of the winning songs by the first, second and third place winners in the music category – Ikechukwu Precious of University of Lagos, Johnson Courage of University of Uyo and Onyerikam Chioma of Queen College respectively. There were spoken word performances by Amara Nwuneli and Jesuyimika Domion, and special display of the artworks of the winners in the creative categories – Maya Akwiwu of Priory Preparatory School, Peters Joseph of Deeper Life High School and Olorunfemi Faith of the Federal University of Technology, Akure who won the first, second and third place prizes in The Dawn Project 2024 Competition.
The keynote address “Oceans of Opportunities – Preserving today for tomorrow” was delivered by the Mr. Johnny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos. Mr. Baxter expressed satisfaction with the direction of The Dawn Project competition and commended the group for the initiative. The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) also attended and gave a goodwill message lauded the initiative, lending his support to the advocacy towards a healthier planet, particularly among young people. The royal father, Chief Olalekan Bakare, the Aro Oba Elegushi of Ikateland, also delivered a good will message at the occasion. Other notable attendees included The Dawn Project Co-Collaborators Mr. Stanley Evans and Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi; the Nigerian actress, Ego Boyo; the Nigerian entertainer, Wumi Obey of Tunde and Wumi Obey (T.W.O.), School Leaders and students and many other environment enthusiasts.
This year’s Dawn Project Competition witnessed a significant transformation, marked by a substantial 200% increase in prize money. As a result, winners took home significantly larger cash awards, with top prizes reaching up to ₦300,000. Additionally, the number of consolation prize winners was expanded, with the top five finalists in each category receiving cash rewards, unlike previous years when only the top three winners received monetary awards. The competition continues to attract winners from diverse educational backgrounds, including primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, maintaining its tradition of inclusivity. The organizers are committed to continually enhance the stakes in the competition with the ultimate goal of engaging an increasingly wider audience in the crucial fight against climate change.
Students from various schools across Lagos State, duly nominated by their institutions, were formally presented at the event. As newly appointed Dawn Project Ambassadors, they were tasked with promoting environmental awareness in their schools and beyond. The ambassadors included include Collins Blessing Sophia of Aguda Senior Grammar Schol, Onibokun Iseoluwa of HeyDay Private School, Maya Akwiwu of Priory Preparatory School, Sholola Oluatimilehin of Lake Field College, Olayinka Durotimi of Corona Secondary School, Yahya Aisha of Queen College, Chizaram Okoli of British International School, Jessica Orabuchi of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls and Goodluck Ikporo of Deeper Life High School.
The organizers urged the winners and all attendees to continue raising awareness about the importance of preserving a clean environment, emphasizing that although the competition had concluded, the quest for a better planet remains ongoing. According to Collaborator Evans Stanley, the next generation is crucial in rectifying the environmental damage inflicted by previous generations. With the next annual Dawn Project Competition scheduled for next year, the organization will continue to promote its tree-planting initiative, encouraging everyone to plant at least one tree. Since its inception, the organization has successfully planted over 3,000 trees.
The event this year was sponsored by British Deputy High Commission Lagos, Bridge Clinic, Ark Insurance , Lababidi Holdings, LUFASI Park, Swift Networks and Punch Newspaper.
