The National Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi, on Monday emerged as the winner of the maiden edition of the inter-school quiz competition organised by the Joint Campus Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Edo State.
The keenly contested final ended in a tie between NICTM and the University of Benin prompting the judges to introduce a tie-breaker round to determine the winner.
NICTM eventually clinched first place and the grand prize of N300,000, while UNIBEN came second and received N200,000. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, secured the third position with a prize of N100,000.
Other participating institutions included Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Ekiadolor.
The event also featured a symposium with a keynote address delivered by the Acting Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Directorate, Mr Effa Okim, who was represented by the Head of Public Affairs, Williams Oseghale.
Speaking on the topic “Use the Cyberspace Positively,” Oseghale urged students to leverage digital platforms for learning, entrepreneurship, and positive societal impact, rather than for crime or deceit.
“You are the digital generation. Use that power responsibly. The internet is not just a playground; it is a powerful tool. Choose to build, not destroy. Choose to enlighten, not exploit,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Student Matters, Jimah Mubarak, praised the initiative, describing student engagement as vital to fostering safer educational environments.
He reaffirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to campus safety and youth development.
“The governor believes that evil must be rooted out from every layer of society, including our campuses,” Mubarak stated.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of NANS JCC, Edo State, Ojumoola Timileyin, said the quiz competition was designed to reward academic excellence, critical thinking, and constructive engagement among students.
“This is more than a competition; it is a movement. It is a movement of students who are ready to lead with their minds, not just their voices. Today, we proved that intellectual excellence can be the new protest,” he said.
“We believe that fostering a culture of scholarship and collaboration among students can combat many of the vices plaguing campuses today. This event was a call to elevate the standard of student unionism in Edo State,” Timileyin added.
Also present was the NANS national president, Olushola Oladoja, represented by the NANS Zone B coordinator, Micheal Iwara, who commended the Edo Axis of the Joint Campus Council for raising the bar in student activism.
