Winners have emerged for the third South African Airways Essay Competition 2022 contest which took place in Lagos recently.

In attendance were the Manager, Africa Market, South African Airways, Mr Ohis Ehimiaghe; the Country Manager, Mrs Kemi Leke-Bamtefa; and the Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc, Mr Basil Agboarumi, among others.

The topic for this year’s essay contest was ‘Protecting children from illicit drugs and sexual abuse’.

In a statement from the airline, Ehimiaghe said, “South African Airways is passionate about children and takes a lot of pride in addressing issues that affect them considering that they are the future of any nation.”

“The competition gained awareness and attracted a total of 308 entries from secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun states, representing a total number of 46 schools comprising of a mix of students from public, private and missionary schools.”

Out of the total number of entries assessed by an independent panel of assessors drawn from a wide spectrum of the aviation, educational and media sectors, 11 finalists were selected with total written scores ranging from 98 per cent.

The Country Manager, SAA, Mrs Leke Bamtefa, noted that the competition was part of the airline’s corporate social responsibility. She also expressed delight at the blend of students from public, private and missionary schools who took part in the contest.

“At South African Airways, we are looking for the positive side; we are enhancing, we are promoting the potential of Nigeria and building greater on the excellent relationship shared between Nigeria and South Africa,” she said.

The winners were also presented with award trophies as well as specially branded note books presented to the school teachers for their various schools.