By Njoku Chijioke
The Abuja City Journal (ACJ), National Essay Competition is making waves as a beacon of hope and innovation for young Nigerians.
As part of the competition’s second edition, 25 exceptional finalists recently toured the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Conversion Centre in Abuja.
The tour exposed participants to the cutting-edge work being done at NASENI, including the process of converting vehicles to run on compressed natural gas.
Engineers and technicians at the centre provided insights into their operations, emphasizing the critical role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), in driving national development.
“This visit has inspired us to see the immense potential in STEM education,” one participant remarked, expressing gratitude to the competition organizers and commending NASENI’s efforts in fostering innovation.
Speaking about the broader vision of the competition, ACJ’s CEO, Mr. Ojo Sylvanus Foluso highlighted the initiative’s role in promoting literacy and academic excellence.
“Education is the bedrock of society.
This competition celebrates the transformative power of education and offers young Nigerians hope for a brighter future,” he said.
The competition attracted over 700,000 entries nationwide, with a rigorous selection process involving AI screenings and independent examiners narrowing the field to 25 finalists.
These participants, flown to Abuja courtesy of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, are vying for prizes ranging from ₦1 million to ₦2.5 million and the coveted title of PCNGI Brand Ambassador.
Through initiatives like the NASENI tour and the essay competition, ACJ continues to set a high standard for youth empowerment, bridging the gap between education and innovation in Nigeria.
