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Jedeiah Rolyn Williams of the Sierra Leone Grammar School has emerged as the overall winner of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) National Essay Writing Competition, claiming the top prize in a contest that drew hundreds of students from across the country.
Organized by UBA Sierra Leone in partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ), the competition recorded an unprecedented 518 entries nationwide.
Organizers highlighted a notable demographic shift in this year’s participation, revealing that an overwhelming majority of the submissions came from provincial schools and female pupils.
From the initial pool of countrywide applicants, 24 semi-finalists were shortlisted and invited to the UBA Headquarters in Freetown for the final stages of the competition. According to the bank, the evaluation process utilized rigorous, double-blind marking to ensure fairness and transparency before the ultimate winners were decided.
Williams secured the first-place position, earning a cash prize of Le 50,000. Sia Mary Destiny Saquee of Cluny Free the Children Secondary School was named the first runner-up, receiving Le 30,000, while Alhaji Saidu Mohamed of The International School Limited claimed the second runner-up spot and a Le 20,000 prize.
In addition to the top cash awards, organizers ensured broad recognition for the highest-performing students. All 12 finalists were presented with an HP laptop, a new school bag equipped with educational supplies, and an official certificate of participation. The remaining semi-finalists were also rewarded with certificates, school kits, and refunds to cover their travel expenses to the capital.
The UBA National Essay Writing Competition is part of a broader corporate social responsibility initiative designed to promote a reading culture, encourage healthy academic competition, and foster critical thinking among secondary school students across the country.
