The Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has encouraged students to reduce their cell phone usage and prioritize reading books.
He emphasised that excessive mobile phone use and TV watching can hinder academic performance and urged students to develop a reading culture.
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) students in the 2024/2025 academic session across Warri Federal Constituency.
The students are from Ugbuwangue Secondary school, Egbokodo Secondary School; Obodo Secondary School; Ubeji Grammar school all in Warri South Local Government.
Students from Iwere College Koko in Warri North Local Government also benefitted in the scholarship awards.
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 developed the cognitive and the retentive abilities and develop good reading culture among students.
He urged the Delta government to partner the foundation to enable more students participate in subsequent examination through effective publicity.
