It was a day of victory for Nigeria last Tuesday when Emmanuel Ochenjele, a Benue-born teenager, was announced winner of the poster category of the 6th DSTV Eutelsat Star Awards.

It was the first time in the history of the competition that a Nigerian would win one of the two categories of the competition which challenges students aged 14-19 to write essays and design posters on satellite- related themes.

In past editions, DSTV Nigeria used to celebrate the best entries from the country which did not win on the continental stage.

However last week, when the awards was holding in Nigeria for the first time, a Nigerian was named winner of the poster category.

Leoul Mesfin of Ethiopia won the essay category.

They were honoured at a star-studded dinner held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island after a seven-man panel of judges led by Claudie Haigneré, Europe’s first female astronaut, screened the entries that made it to the final stage.

Mesfin’s essay on how new age satellite would benefit Africa’s development got praises from judges because of his treatment of continental and country specific needs.

Ochenjele’s poster was adjudged the best for the way he depicted how satellites could help address problems like global warming, conservation, energy supply, while showing how all such advancements are made for the benefits of man.

The pupil of Zamani College, Kaduna, will visit Eutelsat Satellite Company in Paris to understand how satellites are operated, as well as a satellite factory, while Mesfin will visit Paris to witness the launch of a rocket into space to place a satellite into orbit.

Davids Bwana from Tanzania, runner-up in the essay category, won a trip for two to visit MultiChoice facilities and the South African National Space Agency near Johannesburg, while Aobakwe Letamo from Botswana was the runner up in the same category.

The schools of the four winners got DStv installation, including dish, TV set, PVR decoder and free access to the DStv Education Bouquet.

The competition attracted over 1,000 entries from 20 countries.

Claudie Haigneré, who is also a special advisor to the Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), said the judging process was transparent as the panel did not know who owned the works until the winners were decided.

She expressed delight at judging the entries.

She said: “Taking part in the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards for the first time has been quite simply a mind-changing experience, especially as this year’s topic was particularly challenging. The visionary ideas on Africa’s future satellite landscape developed in essays and posters underscore how Africa’s youth expect technology to drive positive change for their continent. The Jury engaged in intense discussions to award the most realistic and creative proposals that deserve to stand out on the African stage. Our congratulations go to all the finalists for their work and to the winners for their brilliant ideas.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication Technology, Mr. Sunny Echono, who announced the winners, praised the quality of entries.

“To my mind, this sixth edition shows sustained interest from African youths, adding fresh impetus to the mission shared by MultiChoice and Eutelsat to encourage young minds to positively change their world via innovative thinking in science and technology. This can be attested to by the number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies present at this event.”

Source – The Nation
http://www.teacher.com.ng/2017/02/17/emmanuel-ochenjele-wins-dstv-eutelsat-star-awards/

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