IN a remarkable display of academic prowess, students from the Lagos State University dominated the podium at an essay competition organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the LASEPA Headquarters, Alausa, Ikeja to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day.
The competition, which had the theme "Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience," attracted a total of 174 entries from undergraduate students across all tertiary institutions in Lagos State. LASU had the highest number of participants with 73 entries, and an impressive nine students made it to the final top 20 list.
Of the top five winners, four were LASU students. Sowemimo Efunjola Olumayowa from the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery clinched the first position, followed by Bieni Precious Chinomso from the Department of History & International Relations in second place. Hamzat Kabir Olorunwa from the Department of Physiology secured the third position, and Adebiyi Omotola Elizabeth from the Department of Mechanical Engineering came in fourth.
The first-place winner, Sowemimo Efunjola Olumayowa, was awarded a cash prize of ₦500,000, an award plaque, and the prestigious status of a LASEPA Ambassador for the Year 2024. The second, third, and fourth-place winners received ₦300,000, ₦200,000, and ₦100,000, respectively, along with awards and LASEPA Ambassador titles.
The Acting Dean of the Students Affairs Division, Dr Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, led the LASU contingent to the grand finale of the competition while the Director of the Directorate of Special Interventions, Prof. Oseni Afisi, coordinated the University's participation.
The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, congratulated the students on their achievements and urged them to continue to uphold the University's reputation in future competitions.
This outstanding success by LASU students is a testament to the institution's commitment to nurturing academic excellence and environmental consciousness among its student body. The University's unwavering support for its students has again paid dividends, solidifying LASU's position as a leading institution in Lagos State.
