Daniela Odong, 17, won first place in the African Union Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Secretariat Young Africans Writing Contest (YAWC). The Mt.St. Mary’s College student wrote an essay titled “A blueprint for the future,” which earned her a win at the YAWC 2021 awards.
The awards were held on 9th September, African Union Day, and the Young Africans Writing Contest (YAWC) was themed ‘My Africa, My Future’ and will be launched on 25th May 2021, Africa Day.
With over 850 entries from all over Africa, Daniela Odong’s concept was praised by an independent jury, which also chose top continental contestants.
The young star received a fully sponsored educational trip to the African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a laptop, African Union Winner’s Plaque, and a gift bag courtesy of the African Union.
Daniela Odong was victorious alongside Touoyem Ngoueghu. Joyce Fortuna of Cameroon and Wisunzintumwa Jean-Paul of Burundi were awarded laptops, an African Union Winner’s plaque, and gift bags courtesy of the African Union.
Five African Union member countries with the highest number of entrants for the competition, including Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, and Nigeria, were recognized.
Whereas the top ten essays, along with the jury’s recommended essays, were published in a special booklet titled “My Africa, My Future,” which was launched by William Carew, Head of ECOSOCC Secretariat, to commemorate African Union Day 2021.
The awards ceremony for the Young Africans Writing Contest was officiated by the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ambassador to Zambia, H.E Konji Maloba Chantal. She also pledged the African Group of Ambassadors’ support for uplifting and encouraging young Africans to help build Africa.
Other dignitaries present included; Ms Patricia Kondolo, ACCESS Bank Zambia, Managing Director Ms Joana Bannerman, represented by the Executive Director-Business Development, Olusegun Kuteyi and members of the Diplomatic Corps in Zambia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zambia Permanent Secretary Amb. Assistant Director for Political Affairs represents Chalwe Lombe.
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