1. 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Thea Nyaloh Davies, 14 Years, Jonathan’s Children School, Bo – NLe 50,000 Scholarship Grants
2. 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Sherilyn A.N Kamara, 16 Years, Annie Walsh Memorial School, Freetown- NLe 30,000 Scholarship Grants
3. 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Nadia Nganga Sebba, 17 Years, Cluny Free The Children (CFTC) Secondary School, Kono – NLe 20,000 Scholarship Grants

On Friday, February 16th, 2024, UBA Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), concluded the 4th Edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition. The NEC final was held at the UBA Head Office training room with live Facebook coverage through the Bank’s official Facebook page and Liberty TV online, and in the presence of other media representatives and parents of the participants.

During the 4th Edition, a total of 307 essays were received, with 74 being disqualified based on the following reasons: typed essays submitted, duplicated essays, no BECE results presented, and no contact information. In the 2022 edition, UBA Sierra Leone received 234 essays, with 24 being disqualified. Among the 307 essays received in 2023, 233 essays were handed over to the judges to mark.

A total of 122 girls submitted essays as compared to 111 boys nationwide. Essays were received from Bo, Bombali, Bonthe, Kailahun, Kambia, Karene, Kenema, Koinadugu, Kono, PortLoko, Western Area Urban, and Western Area Rural. Essays were not received from Falaba, Tonkolili, Moyamba, and Pujehun districts. The 24 finalists were asked to write on the topic “The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future of Education in Sierra Leone” in front of reputable supervisors in 45 minutes. This was part of the essay process to select the12 winners among the 24 finalists.

After the 24 participants wrote the semi-final essay topic, another topic was given to the 12 finalists after a long break to allow the judges to mark the first set of 24 scripts. The final essay topic to get the three winners was for them to “Write on the Positive and Negative Influence of Social Media on Youth Behaviour and Education in Sierra Leone.” Another 45 minutes were allocated to the final 12 to get the 3 winners.

Assessing their respective essays were five distinguished judges drawn from top public tertiary institutions in the country. These judges are doctors and professors in English, Literature, and Mass Communication. The scripts were graded using the following as a guide: organization, expression, content, and mechanical accuracies.Announcing the winners, the MD/CEO of UBA Sierra Leone said that the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition offers an opportunity for pupils in examination classes to strengthen their critical thinking, civics, and other skillsets relevant to their growth. He also expressed delight on the number of girls that submitted entries. ‘This edition is very special because all the winners are girls’ says Mohamed Alhajie Samoura MD/CEO UBA Sierra Leone. He challenged the Marketing and Corporate Communications Team to drive more awareness on NEC Call so that the 2024 edition hits over a thousand applicants.

The top 12 candidates each received a branded laptop, UBA branded school bags, UBA corporate items, certificate of participation, and the top three winners received trophies that will be a legacy for them to cherish. The 24 qualifying students received certificates of participation and brand gift items from UBA. The bank opened UBA Teens accounts for the participants to introduce them to good savings practice.
The National Essay Competition (NEC) is a UBA Foundation Initiative that was initiated in 2011 as part of the Foundation’s drive to improve access to education for the underprivileged across Africa. UBA Sierra Leone started NEC in 2020 in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education. In this edition, the bank also partnered with the National Commission for Children (NCC) which further enhanced the call for participants from across the 16 districts of Sierra Leone