A graduate of the University of Ilorin, Mr. Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem, has clinched the second position at the just concluded Nigerian Communications Commissions (NCC) nationwide essay contest.

In the keenly contested essay competition, on the topic: "Broadband, a Catalyst for National Development", Odonoekuma Onyebuchi Ekuma of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, emerged the overall winner, while Asogwa Chijioke Peter, also of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, clinched the third prize.

While the first prize winner got a cash prize of N500,000, a laptop and a printer, the second prize winner went home with a cash prize of N300,000, and a laptop, and the third prize winner received a cash prize of N200,000 and a laptop.

In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said that his vision for the NCC was to ensure the development and hosting of broadband services in major cities and then use the intervention service of the Commission to ensure final deployment to areas that are under-served.

Prof. Danbatta explained that "the broadband infrastructure is still in its formative stage and non-existence in some places", adding that "as a Professor who has supervised projects closely related to Quality of Service (QoS), I intend to bring together the experience in ensuring that QoS improves. I can do this in many ways, I can invite those students who conducted research related to QoS to come in and see how we can use their experiences."

Also in his remarks, the Sub-Dean of the Student Affairs Unit, University of Ilorin, who led the University delegation to the Award ceremony, Dr. Abdulkareem Yusuf, commended the initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in bringing the broadband services to the grass-roots by way of creating an enabling environment for sound youthful minds to thrive.

Dr. Yusuf congratulated the winners on their brilliant performances and also encouraged other Nigerian youth to borrow a leaf from the young achievers.