The Labour Party in Abia State has launched a statewide essay competition with a total prize pool of ₦2.8 million, inviting secondary and tertiary institution students to contribute ideas on governance, development and the future of the state.

The initiative was unveiled on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat in Umuahia, where party leaders described the competition as a deliberate effort to deepen civic education, promote democratic values and encourage greater youth participation in public policy.

Speaking during the launch, the State Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr. Chuks Akamadu, said the competition was the first of its kind to be organised by the party in Abia State and reflects its commitment to empowering young people through intellectual engagement.

According to him, the competition is themed “The New Abia and the Need for Consolidation,” a subject designed to challenge students to critically assess the achievements of the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti and propose practical ideas that can sustain the state’s developmental trajectory.

Akamadu explained that beyond rewarding academic excellence, the initiative seeks to create a platform where young Abians can participate meaningfully in discussions that shape governance and public policy.

«“We are doing this because the Labour Party is a political party that is alive to its responsibilities in a democratic society. We are committed to educating citizens, promoting democratic values and encouraging greater youth participation in the political process,” he said.»

He noted that political parties have a responsibility not only to contest elections but also to engage citizens, particularly young people, in constructive conversations about leadership, accountability and development.

The party secretary said the essay competition would be conducted in two categories.

Under Category A for Secondary School Students, the winner will receive ₦500,000, the first runner-up ₦300,000, while the second runner-up will get ₦250,000.

For Category B covering Tertiary Institution Students, the overall winner will receive ₦1,000,000, the first runner-up ₦500,000, and the second runner-up ₦250,000.

He further disclosed that outstanding participants who do not emerge among the top three winners will receive consolation awards, while the schools attended by the winning students will also be specially recognised by the party.

Akamadu said interested participants are expected to submit essays of not more than 1,500 words electronically to the Labour Party’s official email address on or before July 17, 2026.

He added that all entries would be reviewed by a panel of assessors, while winners would be announced and honoured during a prize presentation ceremony scheduled for August 3, 2026.

The Labour Party secretary commended Governor Otti’s administration for what he described as remarkable achievements recorded over the past three years, saying the progress made by the government inspired the decision to organise the competition.

According to him, the party believes that consolidating ongoing reforms requires fresh ideas from young people who will ultimately inherit the responsibility of leading the state in the future.

«“The future of Abia belongs to our young people. Through this competition, we are giving them a voice to contribute to the political and developmental conversation shaping our state,” he added.»

Party officials present at the event said the competition is expected to stimulate critical thinking among students, encourage research on governance issues and strengthen the culture of civic participation across the state.

They maintained that by creating a platform for students to articulate their views on development and governance, the Labour Party hopes to nurture a generation of informed citizens and future leaders who will contribute positively to the continued growth of Abia State.

OHAFIATV reports that the essay competition is one of the latest initiatives by the Labour Party in Abia aimed at engaging young people beyond electoral activities and encouraging them to play active roles in shaping the vision and direction of the emerging New Abia.