08/10/2024
Chimdindu Ijioma of James Hope College Wins 2024 Commonwealth Essay Competition
A Year-12 student at James Hope College, Chimdindu Ijioma has won a gold medal in the 2024 edition of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition final. The competition is open to all high school students in the 56 Commonwealth-member countries.
In her category, the participants were told, ‘At the heart of Samoan way of life is ‘aiga’, meaning ‘family’ values including selflessness, hospitality, co-operation, respect and dignity. What core values and ideas from your culture can be used to enhance co-operation and community in the Commonwealth?’
Her response explores the resilience and co-operation the Igbo in the southeastern Nigeria exhibited to rebuild their lives following the Biafran war, and the communal sense of ‘Nwanne’ they now share with their fellow Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
With a record-breaking 34,939 entries from all Commonwealth regions, Chimdindu emerged one of the gold medal finalists in this year’s edition. It should be pointed out that Chimdindu equally won a gold medal in the same competition in 2023.
Congratulations Chimdindu, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in the making!
