By Akpan David, Calabar
Cross River State government has celebrated its outstanding students and schools in academic exercises with cash prizes, laptops and other gestures.
The event organised under the platform, Cross River State Students Academic-thon Challenge (CRISSAC) brought students from all the 18 LGAs.
The pioneering initiative was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the State Planning Commission, and other key education stakeholders.
Atonyire Joshua Ikwenji of Government Secondary School, Shikpeche, Obanliku LGA was honored as the Best-performing WAEC student in the State, receiving a grand prize of ₦200,000.
The overall quiz competition winner hailed from Government Secondary School, Adiabo, securing a substantial ₦1,000,000 scholarship for their student.
Government Secondary School, Adiabo, further distinguished itself by being named the overall best-performing school, earning a ₦2,000,000 project funding award to enhance its facilities.
In recognition of their hard work and dedication, every finalist in the competition was presented with a brand new laptop, while the Mentoring teacher was awarded a cash prize of N500,000 for mentoring the child through the rigorous academic stages
The spoken word segment also saw its champions celebrated: the winner from Edgerly Memorial Girls Secondary School received ₦50,000.
The first runner-up got ₦30,000, and second runner-up ₦20,000 while every participating student got ₦10,000 consolation prize.
Speaking, special assistant to Governor Otu on Student Advocacy and Strategic Planning, Dr. Abasiofiok Akpabio emphasized that the initiative transcended mere competition.
She said it served as a crucial “platform to inspire a new generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators”, saying the goal is to build a future-ready student population in the State capable of tackling real-world challenges.
She explained that the programme’s objective is to “revive academic excellence, redirect students toward intellectual pursuits, and discover hidden talents.
Dr. Akpabio stressed the particular focus on public schools, noting that “for years, our public schools have nurtured some of the best talents whose potential has often lacked a big stage.”
Underscoring the administration’s ambitious educational agenda, Dr. Akpabio reiterated the government’s aim for the State to emerge as Nigeria’s leading academic hub, consistently ranking among the top three states in Senior Secondary School Examinations, including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and JAMB.
Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba who
represented Gov Otu commended the participants for their remarkable dedication, reaffirming the administration’s unwavering commitment to solidifying academic excellence.
“Education remains a central pillar of our development strategy. We will continue to invest in initiatives that promote learning, critical thinking, and innovation. This is our mandate as a people-first administration,” Governor Otu’s representative stated.
Associate Professor Stephen Odey, the Commissioner for Education, represented by Mr. Cyril Itam, Director of General Duties at the Ministry of Education, conveyed strong optimism for the future of education within the state.
“This Academic-Thon Challenge reflects our commitment to improving the quality of education in Cross River State.
“We believe that fostering healthy competition among students will encourage them to push their limits, develop critical thinking skills, and innovate. The government is dedicated to creating an enabling environment where students and teachers alike can thrive and achieve academic excellence.”
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