Ogun State School Triumphs in Prestigious CWAY World Water Day Essay Competition
FAS Comprehensive College in Ogun State, alongside two distinguished secondary schools from Lagos, has secured victory in the highly anticipated 2026 edition of the CWAY World Water Day Essay Competition. This educational contest served as the cornerstone of CWAY Water's comprehensive commemoration of World Water Day 2026, culminating in a grand finale event held at the company's corporate headquarters located in Isolo, Lagos.
Competition Details and Participant Demographics
The essay competition was specifically designed to stimulate critical thinking and intellectual engagement among young Nigerian students. It attracted a substantial number of entries from secondary school pupils across both Lagos and Ogun states. The participants, primarily students from SS1 to SS3, were tasked with exploring and interrogating the complex intersection between water access and gender equality, a pressing global issue.
From the hundreds of submissions received, the organizers meticulously shortlisted six exceptional finalists who advanced to the grand finale. These talented students represented a diverse array of educational institutions:
- Melody Iboma from Solid Ultimate Academy, Lagos
- Fadare Oluwaseunfunmi from FAS Comprehensive College, Ogun State
- Oluremi Temidayo Mercy from Coriander Secondary School, Lagos
- Emeka Vanessa Victory from Mighty Pillars School, Lagos
- Richard Oghagaoghene Eterigbo from St. Margaret Comprehensive College, Lagos
- Oniga Ayomikun from Dee Royale Montessori School, Lagos
Winners and Prize Distribution
Oluwaseunfunmi from FAS Comprehensive College emerged as the overall winner, demonstrating exceptional analytical depth and confident articulation of the gender dimensions related to water access. Her outstanding performance earned her the top prize of N300,000 along with a premium CWAY water dispenser.
Victory from Mighty Pillars School secured a commendable second place, receiving N200,000 and 25 packs of CWAY bottled water. Mercy from Coriander Secondary School claimed third position, awarded N100,000 and 20 packs of bottled water.
The remaining finalists—Richard Oghagaoghene Eterigbo, Melody Iboma, and Oniga Ayomikun—were each presented with consolation cash prizes and packs of CWAY water. This inclusive reward structure underscores CWAY Water's commitment to recognizing both excellence and active participation in educational initiatives.
Corporate Commitment and Leadership Perspectives
During the event, Samuel Akinrimisi, CWAY Water's Group Marketing Head, emphasized that the company's involvement in World Water Day extends far beyond mere symbolic participation. He articulated that the annual commemoration represents a deliberate and strategic effort by the brand to invest in meaningful conversations and initiatives that directly address real societal challenges.
Reinforcing this corporate philosophy, Charles Ojo, Deputy General Manager for Sales Operations, highlighted CWAY Water's extensive operational footprint as tangible evidence of the company's dedication to bridging the gap between advocacy and concrete action. He noted that through such competitions and community engagements, CWAY demonstrates its commitment to fostering environmental awareness and educational development among Nigeria's youth.
The 2026 CWAY World Water Day Essay Competition has not only rewarded academic excellence but has also successfully sparked important dialogues about water sustainability and gender equity among secondary school students in southwestern Nigeria.
