By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The duo of Miss Elah Ajene of Nigeria Tulip International School, Abuja; and Prosper Okarike of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt have emerged winners of the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards competition for 2017.
The contest was organised by MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, the popular payTV firm in Africa.
The winners were announced after a two-day adjudication process with Miss Ajene emerging winner in the essay category, while Okarike came top in the poster category.
The awards are part of efforts by MultiChoice to promote science and technology education in Nigeria.
Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr John Ugbe, speaking at the unveiling, noted that the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards was designed to identify and create awareness on satellite technology and its applications within the society.
According to him, “MultiChoice, by this award, is encouraging the young ones to challenge themselves and come up with ideas and innovation that will eventually propel our country to desired greatness.”
He further explained that the award was meant to inspire innovative thinking among secondary school students in Africa to create awareness on how science and technology can be applied to everyday life and to showcase the many ways that satellites already impact on the development of the African continent.
On her part, chief executive of Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited (ITLSL) and lead judge for the 2017 DStv Eutelsat Star Awards, Dr Aderonke Bello, explained that, “There were many quality entries, but the ones that made it to the top were those that satisfied all the specified criteria which are understanding and demonstration of satellite technology and its application to everyday life, coherence in the manner of presentation and flow.”
The annual awards, which received a total of 213 entries including 187 essays and 26 posters this year, takes the form of a competition open to students between the ages of 14-19 years old.
The award was established in 2011 by MultiChoice Africa in collaboration with Eutelsat, leading satellite operator for broadcasting, broadband, and data services.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Dipo Olowookere