By Edeki Igafe

The Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has urged students to drastically minimise the use of cell phones and focus more on reading books.

The Royal Father made the remarks on Tuesday at the scholarship award ceremony held at Nana Model College, Warri.

The scholarship, facilitated by the HallMarks of Labour Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), was awarded to 14 Senior Secondary School (SSS) 1 students in the 2024/2025 academic session across Warri Federal Constituency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students are from Ugbuwangue Secondary School, Egbokodo Secondary School, Obodo Secondary School, Ubeji Grammar School, all in Warri South Local Government.

The traditional ruler, who was represented by Chief Samuel Omebeyinje, said,

“The use of mobile phones and watching of television among students have become a major problem nowadays.

“Leave phones alone; do not fall for it; it will not help you; read your books; education will take you somewhere.”

Atuwatse commended the HallMarks of Labour Foundation for organising and for giving the students the scholarship.

In his address, Mr Hendrix Ajuyah, the Chairman of the organising committee,

said the NGO had existed for a long time, adding that it was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

He said that the NGO, led by Mrs Patricia Arawore, the Atseju of the Olu of Warri Kingdom, had contributed immensely to the development of education in the country.

“The NGO has contributed positively to the development of the education sector through the award of scholarships, building of educational facilities in schools.

“The organisation has also provided social amenities, including potable water in schools, donation of teaching/learning aids and donation of computer sets and their accessory kits, among others,” he said.

Ajuyah said that the objective of the quiz competition was to develop the cognitive and the retentive abilities and develop good reading culture among students.

He urged the Delta Government to partner with the foundation to enable more students participate in subsequent examinations through effective publicity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika