CMS Grammar School wins Black History Month essay competition

Two senior students of Nigeria’s prestigious CMS Grammar School, Lagos, have emerged 1st and 2nd in an essay writing competition organized by the University of Lagos and University of West Indies’ Institute of African and Diaspora Studies.

The duo of Taiwo George-Taylor and Prosper Nnabuchi beat students from other schools in Nigeria to win the first and second prizes in the essay competition in celebration of the Black History Month 2021.

A student from another legacy secondary school, Igbobi College, Lagos came third in the competition.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

More recently some European and African countries have also joined in celebrating the month by organising different activities to promote and celebrate black excellence.

The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) and University of Lagos in collaboration with the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) hosts the Black History Month annually. In addition to the essay writing competition, the event also feature talks, African Village, exhibitions and cultural displays.

The Black History Month will from February 1 to March 1, 2021.

The CMS Grammar School is the first secondary educational institution in Nigeria. It was founded in 1859 and is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and moral values, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference continentally and globally.