The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition is now open for 2025, inviting undergraduates from across Nigeria to participate in an impactful opportunity to address key mental health challenges facing African tertiary institutions. This competition aims to inspire young minds to contribute to the ongoing dialogue around mental health while honouring the legacy of Jemila Abubakar, a dedicated mental health advocate and the first programme manager of the Asido Foundation.
About Jemila Abubakar and Her Legacy
Miss Jemila Abubakar was a trailblazer in the field of mental health advocacy in Nigeria, playing a pivotal role in the development and growth of the Asido Foundation. As the programme manager, she worked tirelessly to raise awareness and support for individuals struggling with mental health issues. Tragically, Jemila passed away in July 2020, but her work continues to inspire a new generation of advocates and changemakers. This competition serves as a tribute to her passion and commitment to mental health awareness.
Theme for the Competition
The theme for the 2025 edition of the competition is:
"Bridging the Gap: Innovative Solutions for Mental Health Support in African Tertiary Institutions"
This theme calls on students to explore and propose creative, practical solutions that can address the mental health needs of students in universities and colleges across Africa. The focus is on finding ways to bridge the gap between existing support structures and the growing mental health challenges within these institutions.
Prizes for Winners
The competition offers significant cash prizes for the top three essays, which are designed to reward exceptional thought leadership and creativity:
- First Prize: N200,000
- Second Prize: N150,000
- Third Prize: N100,000
In addition to the financial rewards, winners will receive recognition for their contributions to mental health awareness and will be invited to further engage with initiatives supported by the Asido Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the competition, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- You must be an undergraduate student currently enrolled in a Nigerian tertiary institution.
- Proof of studentship is required to verify your enrollment status.
- You must agree to sign the Asido Foundation’s Unashamed pledge, a commitment to stand in solidarity with mental health awareness and support. The pledge can be accessed on the Asido Foundation website.
Essay Requirements
Participants are required to submit an essay that meets the following specifications:
- The essay should be between 750 and 1,000 words in length.
- Submissions must be in Microsoft Word format.
- Along with the essay, participants must upload:
- A scanned copy of a recent photograph.
- Proof of studentship (e.g., a student ID or enrollment verification).
- The signed Unashamed pledge certificate.
Essays that are found to be AI-generated or contain plagiarized content will be automatically disqualified from the competition.
How to Apply
To apply for the competition, follow these steps:
- Complete the official application form available on the Asido Foundation website.
- Upload your essay, recent photograph, proof of studentship, and signed Unashamed pledge certificate via the application portal.
- Ensure all documents are submitted by the deadline of 6 December 2024, 11:59 PM.
Why Participate?
This competition offers undergraduates a unique platform to voice their ideas on mental health solutions, increase awareness, and contribute to the growing discourse on how to better support students in African tertiary institutions. By participating, you not only honor the memory of Jemila Abubakar but also contribute to shaping the future of mental health advocacy in Nigeria and beyond.
Conclusion
The Asido Foundation welcomes all students who are passionate about mental health to participate, share their ideas, and become part of a community working toward a healthier, more supportive academic environment for all.
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