The champions of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies'(NILDS) National Secondary Schools Quiz Competition in the Southwest states, on Thursday, converged in Oyo state for the final zonal quiz competition.
The final of the competition which centers on the Legislature and Democracy was held at Lagelu Grammar School, Oremeji, Ibadan.
In his keynote address, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu explained that the annual quiz competition was strategically designed to expose the students to newer literary skills that will equip them with the capacity to cope with the demand of leadership in the future.
Prof.Adelabu, represented at the event by the Director, Secondary Schools, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Akanji Olayinka, noted that part of the specific functions of the ministry is to properly educate the students about how the government is being run under a democratic system of government which according to him aligned with the motive of the organizers of the quiz competition.
The commissioner lauded the dedication and ruggedness of the students for making their states proud at the zonal level, while urging them to use the period to learn more and aim for a better future.
He expressed the readiness of the Oyo state government in supporting the institute in similar programmes that will help in developing the students’ political knowledge.
Earlier, the Director General of the NILDS ,Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, represented by the Supervising Director at the Institute, Dr. Asimiyu Abiola, said the broad objective of the competition is to provide continued education on the Legislature, broaden the knowledge of students and youths on the history, practice, and procedure of the Legislature.
He urged the students and their teachers to take the outcomes of the quiz competition with the spirit of sportsmanship so that the desired objectives of the competition are achieved.
Vetland Senior Grammar School, Ifako, Lagos State came first, representative of the Oyo state, Abadina College Senior Secondary School, University of Ibadan, emerged second, while Model Secondary School, Akure , Ondo State secured third position.
Lagos state is expected to represent the southwest states at the National level of the quiz competition at a later date.