Nigerian Army Honours Outstanding Essay, Poetry Winners in Army Schools

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has made a significant investment in the intellectual development of young Nigerians through the COAS Literary Competition 2026.

The competition, which was part of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration activities, had participants from Army schools across the country. Speaking during the award presentation ceremony at the Nigerian Army's 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Nasarawa State, Lt. Gen. Shaibu's representative, Maj. Gen. Olurotimi Awolo, explained that the competition aimed to promote national consciousness, intellectual engagement, and young citizens' participation in nation-building.

Maj. Gen. Awolo revealed that the competition featured essay and poetry categories and was open to pupils and students of Army schools across the country. He said that through the competition, participants have been able to express their views on issues of national importance, particularly in the areas of security, patriotism, and peacebuilding.

Maj. Gen. Awolo announced that three pupils from the Command Children School in Doma, under the 4 Special Forces Command, emerged as winners of the COAS Literary Competition 2026. Hope Emmanuel, a Primary 4 pupil of the Command Children School, who took third position in the Primary Poetry Category, expressed gratitude to the COAS for the award prizes, assuring that they would continue to take their studies seriously in order to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the country in the future.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu's commitment to fostering education and intellectual development among young Nigerians is a commendable step towards building a brighter future for the country.

“Today we are gathered here to celebrate Aminu, Bright, and Hope, who have made this cantonment proud. And they have done so well in the Chief of Army Staff Literary Competition for 2026, which is part of the Nigerian Army Day celebrations for this year.

“For Aminu, Bright, and Hope to have excelled, not just in Nasarawa State alone, but in the whole country, then it just goes to show that we have a school in Doma Cantonment that can compete with any other school in the country,” Maj. Gen. Awolo said.

The winners, Aminu Zayyanu, Bright Dorasimi, and Hope Emmanuel, each received a prize of N250,000, N100,000, and N100,000 respectively.

Each of the pupils will also receive the sum of N100,000 from the 4 Special Forces Command, Doma.

The Head Leader of the Command Children School, Doma, Hyacinth Vincent-Akuba, expressed gratitude to the COAS for his magnanimity and for giving the children the opportunity to express their views and minds on issues of topical interest in the country.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu's Literary Competition has indeed provided a platform for young Nigerians to showcase their intellectual prowess and creativity.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu has shown a strong commitment to the development of young Nigerians through this competition.

This commitment is a testament to the vision of the Nigerian Army in building a brighter future for the country.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu's leadership style is one of inclusivity and promotion of youth development.

The COAS Literary Competition is part of the Nigerian Army's efforts to promote education and intellectual development among young Nigerians.

The competition has provided a platform for young Nigerians to express their views on issues of national importance.

The winners of the competition have demonstrated exceptional talent and creativity in their essays and poems.

The Nigerian Army has shown a commitment to the development of young Nigerians through this competition.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu's efforts in promoting education and intellectual development among young Nigerians are indeed commendable.