Ogun Student Toluwani Wins 2024 Teens Think National Essay Competition

Aboyeji Elizabeth Toluwani of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) International School (FUNIS), Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday emerged the winner and most outstanding student of the 2024 Teens Think competition.

Toluwani on Tuesday defeated 15 other finalists that qualified for the grand finale event held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The 2024 competition is the fourth edition of the annual event that started in 2021 with the theme, 'Food Security'.

Toluwani distinguished himself with her remarkable writing and presentation skills to earn the prestigious title of National Champion for the essay competition.

Subsequently, Ofulue Otito of the Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos State, emerged as the first runner-up for the competition while Owoeye Ayomide of the Advanced Breed Comprehensive School, Shagamu, wins the 2nd runner-up slot.

According to the organisers of the event, over 5,000 entries from about 100 schools were received from all states across the federation as well as other African countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ghana, among others.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the convener and founder of Teens Think, Kehinde Olesin,  expressed her delight at the high-quality submissions received this year.

She stated that "the event has continued to grow in popularity among young scholars in the country and globally."

Speaking on the theme, she said, "This year's event focuses on Food Security in Africa in teens perspective. Teens Think focuses on education and advocacy in driving policies that would boost food security."

She, however, commended the students  for their innovative ideas that could help the government, relevant agencies and global African leaders drive policies to end food scarcity.

She said, "Our world is evolving at an unprecedented space. Globalisation, advanced technology and digitalisation have brought people from various backgrounds and cultures together and in this 21st century, it is essential for teens to embrace food security as a way of life. By doing so, you cultivate resilience, creativity and a deep sense of responsibility and ability to create solutions to our food security challenges in the country.

"Food security enriches your popularity and impact. Teens Think (TT) is a leadership, educative, and interactive platform geared towards building outstanding leaders that are digitally oriented with great marketable and communication skills with a wide interest in reading educative and informative materials to succeed.

"At Teens Think, we connect teens for a constructive and vibrant future whose competitive initiative serves to empower teenagers to reach their full potential, increase life-skills for their future, promote career and college preparation, and engage in interactive and hands-on educational sessions."

The organisation believed that "all teens need support and a good environment to flourish, no matter their background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, or gender. We recognize that we are part of a global community and as such have a global impact."
She noted, "Every teen has unique gifts and untapped potential that we can help to release for the interest of themselves and society. 

“Teens Think believes in the power of education and leadership as catalysts for change. We strive to equip teenagers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the complexities of our multicultural world.

"Through our programme, workshops, and mentorship, we empower young minds to be proactive agents of cultural integration.

"I am thrilled with the fantastic response that we received this year. It is heartening to see so many young people with a passion for writing and storytelling."

She pointed out that the significance of the initiative had garnered international attention, as the competition had witnessed substantial interest from Accra in Ghana, and Nairobi, Kenya.
For emerging the winner, Toluwanimi received a prize money of N150,000, a brand new laptop and a plaque with other consolatory prizes.

Also, the first runner-up got N100,000 with a laptop and other prizes while the second runner-up got the sum of N70,000, a laptop and other consolatory prizes.

The other finalists were gifted schools bags, and other gift items for their performance in the competition.

All finalists developed and presented their essay on the topic: 'Food Security'. This was followed by an intense evaluation process by a team of objective independent jurors.

The ceremony, which had in attendance government dignitaries, young entrepreneurs, entertainers and school administrators, saw the finalists take home various prizes ranging from laptops, educational games, books and products from diverse sponsors.

Earlier, the Chairman, Advisory Board, Teens Think and MD, Hansol Geonetworks, Mr Adeboye Adeyemi, while delivering his speech, enjoined the students to continue to thrive and canvass initiative to boost food security in Africa.

He also urged the students to continue to thrive in good morals and academic excellence, while describing them as future leaders that have the potential of becoming exceptional nation builders in the future.

Deina Maiyaki, Co-Founder and CEO, Agriarche Limited and guest of honour at the event while addressing the students on 'Food Security', urged them to embrace farming to ensure the availability of food in the country as well as in Africa.

She said Nigeria has about 80million hectares of land for farming and only 40% is cultivated.

She urged the students to brace up and combat food insecurity in the country.

According to her, " Nigeria has over 80million hectares of land for farming and about 40% of the land is cultivated while others are left uncultivated hence, we have a vast land in Nigeria for farmers and as a nation we ought not to suffer hunger.

"Many people see farming as a dirty job but there's huge amount of revenue in it. If the teens have the mindset of farming and go into it, food insecurity will decrease and there are many opportunities in agriculture that will help the nation boost her means of livelihood. 

"We don't need a certificate to be a farmer but practice. So everyone can go into farming to end the war against starvation"

She challenged the students to have a mindset of problem solving to address societal needs in the country.

Past winners of Teens Think were at the event inducted into the Teens Think hall of fame.