Heirs Insurance Group Announces Winners of N8 Million Essay Championship Scholarship
L:R- Charles Odii DG, SMEDAN; Alhaji Misbau Umar Yola, Non-Executive Director, Heirs General Insurance; Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO, Heirs Life Assurance and the Group’s Sector Head; Hephzibah Chidi, Winner, 2024 Heirs Insurance Essay Championship; Tony Aniemeke, MD/CEO, Heirs Insurance Brokers and Ifesinachi Okpagu, Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group.
Heirs Insurance Group, Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance provider, has proudly announced the winners of its 2024 Essay Championship. The grand ceremony, held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, revealed the top three finalists, who collectively received scholarships worth N8 million.
Hephzibah Chidi, a student from Seacrest Preparatory in Rivers State, took home the first-place prize with her inspiring essay, “The Story of My Hero”. She was awarded a N5 million scholarship, and her school received a N1 million grant to support an educational project. Pemisire Owolabi from Quest College, Oyo State, won second place with a N2 million scholarship, while Mariam Raheem from Isador Model School, Lagos State, secured the third position, earning a N1 million scholarship.
The winners were celebrated in the presence of distinguished guests, including Charles Odii, Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN); Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO of Heirs Life Assurance; Tony Aniemeke, MD/CEO of Heirs Insurance Brokers; and other key officials from Heirs Insurance Group.
Nearly 5,000 Junior Secondary School students from across Nigeria participated in this year’s competition, showcasing impressive creativity and innovative thinking. The Essay Championship underscores Heirs Insurance Group’s commitment to advancing education and promoting financial literacy among young Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, Niyi Onifade, MD/CEO of Heirs Life Assurance, expressed the Group’s dedication to empowering the next generation through education: “At Heirs Insurance Group, we recognise that education is not only a gateway to a brighter future but also a tool for financial empowerment. This Championship is part of our ongoing effort to nurture young talent and bridge the financial literacy gap, aligning with our mission to improve lives and transform Nigeria.”
Onifade also commended all participants for their exceptional efforts: “The creativity and critical thinking demonstrated by our finalists, and indeed all participants, have been outstanding. These young minds are the future of our country, and we are honoured to support them in their educational journey.”
The finalists were evaluated by a distinguished panel of academic professionals, led by a Professor of English, who rigorously assessed each essay. From nearly 5,000 entries, the top 15 essays progressed to the final round, with Deloitte & Touche overseeing the grading process as an independent Quality Assurer to ensure fairness and transparency throughout the competition.
The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship is a cornerstone of the Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, aimed at enhancing educational quality and fostering emerging talent. Through this programme, Heirs Insurance Group continues to bridge the gap between education and financial literacy, bringing parents, students, and communities closer to the world of insurance.
