The Grand finale of the Dr Ovie Ughwanogho Annual Urhobo Challenge quiz Competition 2018, ended with high spirit. In fact it was a big blast!!
We couldn't have asked for more.... It just gets better.
The Winner got N250,000, Second: N150, 000, 3rd: N100,000 while 4th - 8th position went home with a mouth watering some of N50,000 each.
Meanwhile 12 Students Audience got N10,000 while teachers/coaches for 1st to 8th contestants also gets N10,000.
Dr. OVIE Ughwanogho was unanimously agreed and adjudged a man with a heart of gold, who loves and cares for all without season. During his speech, which the likes of Prof. Sunny Awhefeada and Prof Aziza described as a must read master piece, he eulogiesed Late Senator Pius Ewhirodo while talking about "the Urhobo Dream" urged all to emulate the late ICON.
Orhobe Onome from Orogun Grammar School emerged this year's winner with a slight margin of one point, an edge she got from her speech on Local Gin "Ogogoro/amẹrika". She scored 32points while to beat Oghenenyoreme Romeo from Aranwanrhie Secondary School who took second position with a gross average point of 31.
The hall was filled to the brim with dignitaries from all works of life among which include: Dr. OVIE Ughwanogho himself, (the Chief Sponsor), HRM King Duku II of Effurun Otor Kingdom with his high profiled Chiefs, The commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon Chiedu Ebie, ably represented by Ethiope East C. I. E., Chief Paul Abu, the Face of Urhobo Queen, Elohor Abaranovwe, Professor Sunny Awhefeada, Mr Moses Darah, Dr. (Mrs) Okpeki, Queen Ogheneruona, Bar Frank Oseya, UPYA high profiled team members and others too numerous to mention.
The programme was anchored by a prominent Urhobo Orator, popularly known as Professor Jogodo and our very own, MC Funny Brain.
Quest FM & TV, Urhobo Vanguard, Urhono Voice, Vanguard, and other media organisations were present to cover the event.
Counsellor Dennis Agori who is the Organising Committee Chairman also acted as the Cordinator of the competition while Professor Awhefeada, Mr Moses Darah and Dr(Mrs) Okpeki formed our erudite Pannel of judges with Comrade Siloko Joseph acting as the time keeper while Adamure Joshua was the technical man behind the projector.
Team leader Marcus Ekure's eyes was everywhere as he directs all event to success from all corners.
By way of reiteration, at the end of the day, Urhobe Onome(female) from Orogun Grammar School, Ughelli North LGA came first with a total score of 32 over 40... She had scored 34 over 50 from the First stage to emerge to the second stage where she scored 16 over 34.
The Second position went to Oghenenyoreme Akoevwogene Romio of Aranwharien Secondary School, Ughelli South with 31 over 40. He had scored 49 over 50 from the First stage to emerge to the second stage, the highest of the first stage and from the second stage, he scored 16 over 34 to come to the finals. Remarkably, he gave up his time to speak on FISH... "IYENRIN" as he said he doesn't have more idea on the topic thereby subjecting himself to the defeat by one point.
Akpobasaha Oghenevwaire (female) of Delsu Secondary School, Abraka,Ethiope East LGA came third with 25 over 40. She had scored 40 over 50 from the First stage to emerge to the second stage where she scored 24 over 34.
It is worthy of note that the Winner of the 2017 edition (maiden), Omonigho Raphael of Erho Grammar School, Abraka, Ethiope East LGA was present at the occasion and was honoured as an Ambassador of the competition.
Other personalities, including Principals and teachers from various schools were also honoured with awards of various degrees for their outstanding inputes and contributions to the overall success of the challenge since inception.
It seems no one wanted it to end, but there is always a next time and we believe it will always get better and stronger at all times.
We use this opportunity to appreciate all who made this edition outstandingly successful directly or indirectly. We specially appreciate everyone who came to Abraka today for the event, especially our Pannel of judges and the USA members. We also salute the indefatigable UPYA Team members who worked relentlessly to ensure this dream succeeds.
Finally, we the members of the planning/organising committee are sincerely grateful to our leader, Marcus Ekure for his leadership style of giving everyone a chance.
And of course to our principal and sponsor, Dr Ovie Ughwanogho, we pray God to continue to bless and protect him and for his love for UPYA and Urhobo Nation not to grow cold IJN! Amen.
Above all, we ascribe all glory to God Almighty for grace.
Counsellor Dennis Agori
Chairman Organising Committee.
