The organisers of the Lamp and Light Bible Trivia have said the competition is promoting education and empowering young people through supervised cash prizes, mentorship and leadership development programmes aimed at preparing participants for future success.
According to a statement made available to The PUNCH on Thursday, the overall winner of the competition received N1m, while the first and second runners-up won N700,000 and N500,000 respectively.
It added that the top three contestants also received tablet devices, while the remaining finalists were presented with N150,000 each as consolation prizes.
The organisers, however, said the cash rewards were not intended as mere prizes but as educational support, noting that the ministry closely monitors how the funds are utilised.
“The cash awards are intended to support the winners’ education and other approved forms of empowerment. The Youth and Children Ministry carefully supervises the use of the funds to ensure that this objective is achieved,” the statement read.
The competition’s Producer and National Director of the Youth and Children Ministry, Carllister Ejinkeonye, said the initiative had evolved beyond a Bible competition into a platform for spiritual growth, personal development and academic advancement.
She noted that many participants had become “walking Bibles” through their commitment to studying and discussing the Scriptures, adding that the experience had strengthened their faith, discipline and character.
The project coordinator, Ethelbert Obi, said the programme was rekindling young people’s interest in godliness and the study of the Bible while also providing opportunities for financial and personal empowerment.
According to him, participation in the competition has transformed lives, deepened contestants’ understanding of the Scriptures and equipped many youths with resources to pursue their educational aspirations.
The organisers added that this year’s edition recorded a 20 per cent increase in participation over the inaugural season, attracting contestants from Nigeria, Ghana and the Republic of Benin.
The statement noted that beyond the Bible quiz, participants underwent a residential camp featuring intensive Bible study, mentorship sessions, career guidance, counselling, entrepreneurship training and academic workshops designed to prepare them for leadership and nation-building.
The General Superintendent of the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, Aloysius Ohanebo, said the programme was part of efforts to provide wholesome alternatives capable of drawing young people closer to God.
“The voice of the Watchman must be heard, and the time has come for the Movement to match the world’s efforts while countering the devil’s advance in the lives of young people—reality show for reality show, quiz for quiz,” Ohanebo said.