DIAMOND BANK ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF CENTENARY WRITING COMPETITION - 'WHAT MAKES YOU A TRUE NIGERIAN'.

Choosing the winners has been very competitive and took a lot of deliberation. Finally, 12 winners have emerged- although there were meant to be 10 winners there were so many fantastic entries it was hard to choose only 10. However, everyone who has participated is a "true Nigerian."
These winners have been selected based on;
- Creativity
- Uniqueness
- Grammar
- Inspiration

The winners of the iPad mini are;

• Ekelaka Eunice
• chizi4jesus@gmail.com

The consolation prize winners of N10,000 are;

• Anthony Osemeke Ogbechie
• Sanya Jide
• Timothy Chukwunwogor
• Saudu Clement 
• Abdulrahman Jogbojogbo
• Sirajo Haladu
• Auwal A. Ahmad 
• jolseluv2005@yahoo.com 
• Aribisala Damilola Olalere
• Iliya Idi

Well done and keep the flag flying.

THE RESILIENT SPIRIT OF A YOUNG NIGERIAN BY EUNICE EKELAKA

Fingers poised over the keyboard, doubts assuaging senses, if this essay would grace the winners' tablet, when it hits me!

The search for money, feeling of incapability when money-making opportunities open, worry over deadlines, apprehension over what excuse to give, pangs of hunger, bearing one's-self for according importance to something 'wey we no sure of sef', muttering 'eeyahs' in conversation, irritation at the sight of traffic-jam, devouring 'gala' and 'lacasera', joy as sleep encroaches, heart-felt groan as alarm-clock blares, realization that nothing's changed. Dreams, hopes, desires crushed. Wistful sighs. these are what make me a true Nigerian.


I SEE A GREAT FUTURE IN NIGERIA BY chizi4jesus@gmail.com

The true mark of nationalism is the true spirit of patriotism. Nigeria is a nation bedeviled by enormous and perplexing challenges; Boko Haram, youth restiveness, educational decadence, political thuggery and misappropriation of public funds all stare at us in our faces. And with the approaching 2015 general elections, the socio-political tension is heating up like boiling oil.

Nonetheless, i believe strongly that Nigeria will surmount all her challenges and stand up tall. I see a great future in Nigeria and have high hope for a better tomorrow. This is my Nigerian testimony.
Nigeria: good people, great nation!