By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara state government has again reiterated its commitment to programmes that would not only improve intelligent quotient among students but also boost their healthy academic performance.
Speaking at the grand finale of the 2023 Tax Club quiz competition, organised by the state Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), in Ilorin, the state capital, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’daatu Modibo Kawu, said the state government has continually encouraged academic activities which are capable of prompting intellectual prowess in future chosen profession by the students in the state.
Hajia Kawu noted that the just concluded annual quiz competition is germane and crucial, “based on its mental development, academic excellence and futuristic capacity building among our students”, adding that her Ministry is committed to embracing innovative approaches that would enhance healthy academic competitions and boost self-confidence among the students.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdulqadri Mahe, promised to invest more in education as well as encourage the KWIRS further in their mandate.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the KWIRS, Mrs Sade Omoniyi, stressed the need for reading and dedicated learning among the youths, adding that 231 students entered for the competition, but were eventually trimmed to18 before six finalists eventually contested.
Explaining that the competition was in three categories: teachers, schools, and students, the KW-IRS boss added that Stepping Stone College, Ilorin emerged winner with N2.5m financial reward.
Others were: the first runner-up, Eucharistic Heart of Jesus College that won N1.5m and the third runner-up, Government Secondary School, Lafiagi that went away with N1m.
On the students’ category, the overall winner got N400,000, the first runner-up N300,000, while the third runner-up was given N200,000.
The first teacher collected N150,000, second N100,000 and the third N50,000.