Maryam Idris Wins Silver Award in 2024 Commonwealth Essay Competition

Miss Maryam Idris, a talented student from Soltab Comprehensive College in Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has achieved remarkable recognition as the Silver Award Winner in the 2024 edition of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC). This prestigious accolade places Ogun State in the spotlight, following in the footsteps of her sister, Mujeebat Idris, who secured a Bronze Award in the same competition in 2021.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, established in 1883, is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing contest, attracting over 30,000 participants globally each year. Idris’s award-winning essay addressed the topic: “You’re on a school exchange in a Commonwealth country different from your own. How do you make friends with people your age? (Consider similarities and differences in culture that may unite you).”

In recognition of her outstanding achievement, the competition organizers expressed their appreciation, stating, “Thank you for participating in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 and for sharing your wonderful creativity and ideas with the Commonwealth family.” Alongside her Silver Award, Idris received a printable certificate co-signed by the Executive Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Dr. Linda Yueh, and lead judges Femi Elufowoju and Caroline Haines.

An avid reader and dedicated writer, Idris has represented her school in various competitions and has consistently excelled academically, leading her competitive class in four out of six terms. With aspirations to study Engineering, Idris hopes to secure a full scholarship for her secondary education and university studies.

Maryam Idris’s exceptional accomplishment not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the rich educational environment in Ogun State, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence in their academic endeavors.