9mobile Future CEO Initiative: Jane-Frances Okorie emerges winner

16-year-old Jane-Frances Okorie has won the maiden edition of the 9mobile Future CEO speech competition. Okorie, a Lagos State Civil Service Senior Model College student, Igbogbo, Ikorodu defeated nine other finalists in a keenly-contested speech battle held at the Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School, Maryland, Lagos.

Over 50 Students from secondary schools within the Lagos State Education District 2, comprising Ikorodu, Kosofe, and Shomolu local government councils, participated in the competition.

The 9mobile Future CEO is an initiative aimed at inspiring future leaders by stirring up their interest in business and leadership. The initiative also affords promising future leaders an opportunity to walk in the shoes of senior business leaders.

Commending the finalists, the Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile. Mr Abdulrahman Ado, represented by the PR Lead, 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo, commended the participants for their courage, efforts and hard work.

She said: “You have all demonstrated sound intellectual prowess and excellence in your presentations. This is proof that you are future leaders who are determined to achieve their dreams. “9mobile is proud of you and we hope that you remain confident in your ability to take up new tasks ahead.”

Reiterating 9mobile’s commitment to promoting education, Ado stated that the 9mobile Future CEO initiative would help build students’ leadership capacity for the future.

“To be a good business leader requires much hard work, dedication and sacrifice. I, therefore, urge you to be focused and determined in whatever you do in life,” he added.

Commenting on the competition, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr Abayomi Abolaji, lauded 9mobile for the initiative, stating that it was germane and in line with the sustainable growth plan of the Lagos state government.

Expressing delight at her win, an elated, Okorie remarked, “Honestly speaking, I am short of words. Let me begin by saying a huge thank you to 9mobile for providing us with this wonderful opportunity and platform to express ourselves and inspire us to dream big. To my school management and teachers, thank you for reposing this level of confidence in me to do the school proud.”