In June 2006, NLI held the first NLI National Essay Competition with a theme on values-based society and leadership. The competition was open to Nigerians everywhere and the respondents were asked to write about the essential values a good Nigerian society should be built on and how these values should be embedded in our society. They were also asked to name a present day Nigerian who they would describe as a values-based leader and why.
A diverse range of essay entries was received and in December 2006, NLI released a report on the competition titled Our Shared Values. Whilst being an aggregate analysis of the views of all essay respondents, Our Shared Values also contains articles from various sector leaders on how their various sectors can help to incorporate values into the Nigerian society.
The Winners of the Essay Competition are:
First Prize – Felix Ekpang Akombi, who won a cash prize of N250,000 and had his winning entry published in the THISDAY Newspaper edition of December 11, 2006.
Second Prize – Kenneth Uche Ohaeri, who won a cash prize of N150,000
Third Prize – Olubunmi Fakunle, who won a cash prize of N100,000.