Model Secondary School, Akure, Ondo State, has emerged winner of the 11th National Quiz Competition on Legislature and Democracy, organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition took place at NILDS headquarters on Monday in Abuja.

The ​‌‌‍‍⁠​‍⁠⁠‍‍​‌⁠‍‍‌‍‌​school scored 75 points to defeat five others representing Nigeria’s six geo-political zones at the competition

NAN also reports that the winning team received one million naira, laptops and school bags as prizes, including scholarships for its two participating students up to university level for their outstanding performance.

Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, Edo (South-South), came second with 60 points, winning N500,000 naira, laptops and school bags, while Government Secondary School, Kuwiri, Jos, Plateau (North-Central) came third with 50 points and received N300,000 naira, laptops and school bags.

Other participating schools included St. Patrick’s College, Awka, Anambra (South-East), Jigawa Academy for the Gifted, Bamaina, Jigawa (North-West) and Government Day Secondary School, Bojude, Gombe (North-East).

Speaking after the victory, the Team Lead, Heritage Babayode from Model Secondary School, Akure, said he felt happy and blessed, adding that the achievement rewarded the students’ hard work and diligence.

Babayode said the students regularly attended Saturday study sessions to read and practise questions in preparation for the competition.

He said it was the school’s third visit to Abuja for the competition, having finished second on its previous two appearances before finally securing first position.

Babayode thanked their teacher, Mr Simdile Edebo, for devoting time to coach them, stressing that he sometimes withdrew them from regular classes to prepare for the quiz.

In his congratulatory remarks, the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, described all participating schools as winners, irrespective of their final positions.

Sulaiman commended the students for their courage, commitment and determination to attain academic excellence, noting that their performances demonstrated impressive levels of intelligence.

“Some questions you answered today were questions that we on this side could not answer. Interestingly, the school that answered that one question correctly did not win.

“This goes to show the level of intelligence displayed here today. Therefore, you are all winners, and I congratulate every participating school,” he said.

Sulaiman also applauded the teachers for their dedication and commitment to preparing the students, describing their contributions as essential to the competition’s success.

He urged the students to sustain their enthusiasm for learning, remain diligent in their studies and continue to develop their knowledge of legislative and democratic processes.

The director-general said the competition was designed to deepen students’ understanding of legislature and democracy.(NAN)

Chairperson of the Commission, Olivia Dazel, made the call during an engagement to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, held on October 5 at Villa Grand Hotel, Jos, with the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”

Dazel described child marriage as a major contributor to gender-based violence, stressing that it deprives girls of education, limits their opportunities and exposes them to physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

She noted that Plateau State already has legal provisions prohibiting child marriage, including the Child Rights Law 2005, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission Law.

“Early marriage for the girl child exposes her to sexual and gender-based violence. One of the very dangerous consequences is the withdrawal of the child from education or the termination of her educational pursuit. That opportunity terminates her future,” she said.

Dazel urged parents and community leaders to ensure that girls remain in school, acquire skills and become empowered to make informed decisions about their lives. She also encouraged girls to speak out against abuse and other violations of their rights.

Earlier, the Secretary of PLASGEOC, Barrister Nalong Gumut, described the commemoration as a call to action, urging stakeholders to work collectively towards ending early marriage and creating opportunities for girls to thrive.

“Every girl deserves childhood and education and a chance to thrive,” Gumut said, adding that the engagement was designed to enlighten girls on their rights and develop practical strategies for addressing early marriage.

A particularly moving moment at the event was the testimony of a survivor of early marriage, Cinthian, who recounted how teenage pregnancy interrupted her secondary education and led to an abusive marriage.

She further narrated how attempts to seek better opportunities through friends exposed her to human trafficking and sexual exploitation across different countries.

According to her, intervention by the Gender Commission, following contact with her parents, eventually helped facilitate efforts towards her rescue.

Speaking on the rights of the girl child, the Plateau State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Pukuma Uko Felix, said girls are entitled to fundamental rights, including education, identity, freedom of expression, dignity and protection from harmful cultural practices.

He stressed that protecting girls is not merely a moral responsibility but a legal obligation, urging the Commission to extend similar awareness engagements to parents to help them understand their responsibilities.

Also speaking, presenter on child marriage and its consequences, Yonpan Dariem, highlighted its effects on girls’ health, education, safety, livelihood and dignity, urging girls to understand their rights, report abuse and seek help from trusted adults.

Students who participated in the engagement also called for increased awareness, stronger enforcement of existing laws and support for girls affected by early pregnancy.

One of the students, Favour Wetkos of Federal Government College, Jos, stressed the need for government to support affected girls rather than abandon them.

She said, “They should encourage them and make them understand that that is not the end of life. There is more even after pregnancy. They can be single mothers. We have stories of single mothers who have thrived.”

Similarly, Adoh Ethel Joseph Izang of St. Theresa’s Girls College, Jos, called for mental health support, educational assistance and help with childcare for girls who become pregnant early, noting that they should still have opportunities to achieve their ambitions.

Community leaders and representatives of religious and cultural organisations also pledged support for efforts to address the practice.

Ambassador Nanpon Danjuma Sheni of the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN) reaffirmed the importance of equal opportunities for girls, stressing that they deserve the same education, welfare and privileges as boys.

“I have two daughters, and I am very proud of them. Everything that I should have given to a boy child, I am giving to my girl child,” he said, calling on communities to protect the rights of girls in their homes and societies.

The engagement brought together stakeholders, students, community representatives and government institutions to discuss practical ways of ending child marriage and strengthening the protection of girls across Plateau State.