Oritsetseyigbemi, proof that stars can rise from Warri–McCarthy, Father of the winner, NDLEA Inter-School Essay Competition

Warri-based Mr. McCarthy Oritsematosan Franklin, who is the father of McCarthy Oritsetseyigbemi Jessy, says the outstanding victory of McCarthy Oritsetseyigbemi Jessy as winner of the recent National NDLEA Inter-School Essay Competition, is a proof that stars can rise from Warri, Delta State.

Recall that McCarthy Oritsetseyigbemi Jessy, emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 NDLEA Inter-School Essay Competition and she was presented with the prestigious award at the Presidential Villa Conference Centre in Abuja.

The elated father of Jessy (McCarthy Oritsetseyigbemi Jessy) Mr. McCarthy Oritsematosan Franklin, whilst reacting to the development in an exclusive chat with Fresh Angle International, Wednesday July 16, stated: “I still remember the night Tseyi stayed up past midnight, scribbling ideas on paper while the rest of the house slept. She told me, ‘Daddy, I want my words to mean something.’

“Today, those very words have taken her all the way to the Presidential Villa. Watching her walk across that stage to receive her award, it didn’t just make me proud as her father. It made me emotional as a son of Warri, as a voice from Delta State. Because this wasn’t just about one girl winning an essay competition. It was about a daughter of the soil reminding the nation that brilliance lives in every corner of Nigeria, including ours.

“Tseyi has always carried her roots boldly. Her resilience, her passion, even her quiet strength are all things she inherited from where we come from.

“I may have guided her, but she lit the fire herself. And now, she’s become a beacon for others like her. Proof that from Warri, stars can rise.”

Jessy’s victory, has been viewed by thousands of Deltans as a collective honour for the State, a symbol of hope, demonstration that the pen is powerful and that young minds can inspire national change.

Below is the essay written by McCarthy Oritsetejigbomi Jessy, that led to the award:

Greater Tomorrow International College,

                                                                                                P.M.B. 271,

                                                                                                Arigidi Akoko,

                                                                                                Ondo State.

                                                                                                21st May, 2025.

Dear Tseyi,

Congratulations on the conclusion of your PhD degree! I am really happy and joyous deep down in me to see you go this far. Hope life at this thirty-fifth year of yours has been fruitful and successful. As you advance forward in life every day, I want you to have something at the back of your mind. I know it has not been easy so far and it would continue to be like that as you sail through difficulties while making the right decisions.

The reason for writing this letter is already an essential one. This letter is a warning for you not to engage in drugs, either by taking or trafficking; no matter the pressure or temptation. Drugs have indeed taken over the young minds, adults in our society and the world at large. Hard drugs are powerful illegal drugs people take for pleasure and motivation which can become an addiction. They lead to the destruction of many lives. There are many reasons why you should not be associated with such substances.

First is to protect your health, staying away from such substances is the first and big step for protecting your health. Drugs contain harmful substances that can cause serious harm to the body, mind and even damage organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, kidney and many more. It doesn’t end at physical health. It also does a great deal of harm to your mental health. At this age of yours, it isn’t ideal to take strong substances because day by day, your immune system continues to depreciate, meaning it wouldn’t be so easy for your body to fight against diseases. Taking of such drugs can make one go mad for life and I am sure that is not the plan I have laid down for life. In order to live a full, active and fun packed life, staying away from drugs is an essential step.

In addition, living a drug free life makes your lifestyle fit for being a model to others. You should be someone others can look up to in life. There are always people watching your actions and every step in life ranging from your siblings to your parents, to friends and even colleagues. Your choices can influence them either positively or negatively. If you therefore make a choice to live a drug free life, they would definitely do the same. Living such a drug free life sends a message to the people who look up to you, as well as the world, that it is indeed positive to be strong, respected and successful without taking harmful or intoxicating substance. I would want you to leave a positive legacy behind to make a better world and generation.

In the same vein, being away from drug keeps you focus on your goals. I have dreams, goals and plans for my life, be it education, career, sports, relationships or even making a societal difference. All these dreams depend on you achieving them. All these aspects of life I have mentioned require lots of energy, thinking and dedication. Introducing drugs to your lifestyle is detrimental because they will drain your energy, dedication and concentration. Drugs can be a major distraction pulling you away from the goals I set aside to accomplish. Drugs affect the brain cells in ways that make it difficult to stay focused, take reasonable decisions and stay motivated. When one becomes addicted to drugs, their focus shift from their target to satisfy their cravings for substances. By this, they begin to waste time and energy on things that would result into nothing good. As a result of neglecting this simple choice, setbacks such as missing school, failure, losing opportunities, damaging relationships and many more could be caused.

Also, participating in drug taking causes immediate change in behavior and decision making which leads to poor choices that come with languishing consequences in school, relationship, career and future opportunities. If you indulge in such, you would begin to ignore responsibilities, perform poorly in tests and take horrible decisions that would cause you a lot. Under the influence of drugs and side effects, people miss out on a whole lot of golden opportunities. Dear future self, I want you to take heed to this piece of advice in order not to make terrible decisions and miss opportunities that may come once.

Moreover, staying clear from drugs and illegal substances help avoid legal and social problems that can negatively affect your life. Being deeply attached to drugs may attract attention of drug law agencies and social media users which will lead to serious consequences under the law such as being arrested, getting criminal records, paying fines, serving jail terms or even destroying your image or reputation. Drugs also destroy social bonds with co-workers, family and friends. When people around you start noticing your involvement in drugs and change in behaviours, they start to distance themselves away.

Saying no to drugs is a way of showing the world that you know the worth of your health and well being. I would want you to be committed to being the best version of myself, though life may be very challenging and tough but I hope you choose to face those challenges the best way you can rather than trying to escape from them with harmful substances. Overcoming these difficulties without any substance of such brings respect and honour to your name, therefore building a really nice reputation for you.

In addition, Tseyi, early death is associated with a life full of drugs. Those who engage in substance abuse gradually dig their graves by themselves. Most youth die untimely, due to their engagement with harmful substances. I have a dream, a goal and a vision that one day, I shall be great and known worldwide. Taking drugs would only help cut short your life span and kill the realities of those dreams. Your involvement in drugs will not only kill your dreams but also your motivation and your body as a whole.

Indeed, I know it could be a very difficult task to reject the pleasure of taking drugs, but I want you to make this choice to make your future shine so bright, to gather respect, to avoid unnecessary embarrassment, to set example for the future generations, to prevent untimely death, to focus more on my goals, and most especially, to protect my health and essential organs.

In conclusion, it’s not just about avoiding drugs but protecting everything that matters to you; that is, my health, goals, dreams, vision and future. I love you so much and telling you to stay away from drugs is a way to show that love. Being drug free gives you the best chance to be a positive model and live a life you can be proud of. Having a drug free life is the clearest way you can show you can be a better version of yourself. My future self, I really want you to make me proud, live a life that when I look back, I would be happy that you didn’t choose the path of drugs. Abscond from a life of drugs, no matter the situation or temptation.

As you continue to advance in life, I hope you keep making the right choices.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Yours sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Tseyi.

Name: McCarthy Oritsetejigbomi  Jessy

Name of School: Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State

CLASS: SS2D

Date of Birth: 06/02/2010

Age: 15

Principal’s Phone No: 08164360663

HOD’s Phone No: 08102521981

Email: gtichead02@gmail.com

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