Tag: Spelling Bee

• By Omowunmi Jimoh, Faith Ajiboye, Aisha Ahmed and Bolatito Akande

The wife of the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Mrs. Adebimpe Jakande, has described the spelling bee competition as an avenue that strengthens the educational foundation of children and promotes reading culture.

She said this during the Spelling Bee Competition, held at council secretariat.

 She said: “The spelling bee competition is more than just a contest; it is a celebration of learning, discipline, and creativity. It strengthens the educational foundation of our children, ignites their potential, and promotes a vibrant culture of reading and self-expression.”

Mrs. Jakande said the  competition  which was initiated by  the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi aligns with the  administration’s Educational Restoration Policy.

She added that the  council has  continued to  invest in education through initiatives such as the distribution of back-to-school materials, the Jako Jollof Feeding, and the establishment of solar-powered ICT centres to equip students with digital skills.

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She encouraged the pupils to continue striving for excellence, noting that their courage and hard work already made them winners.

“Whether or not you take home a trophy today, your presence here is proof of your dedication and determination,” she said.

Mrs. Jakande, while commending the pupils for their courage and preparation urged parents to prioritise their children’s education.

“Parents in our community sometimes involve their children too much in housework, which takes away from their study time.

House chores are important, but schoolwork must come first,” she said.

Adegboye Adetolani, a Primary 5 pupil from Local Government Primary School, Idi-Oro, emerged as the winner in the primary category. Aina Heritage from Ransome Kuti Memorial Senior Grammar School emerged as the winner in the secondary category.

A teacher, Ms. Olarewaju Oluwatoyin, thanked the council chair’s wife for the opportunity, admitting that the experience were both challenging and rewarding.

By Misturah Yusuf, Mojisola Adegoke and Omowunmi Jimoh

The wife of of Ikeja Local Government Chairman, Mrs. Fausat Dauda, has reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to promoting quality education and nurturing academic excellence among pupils within the council area.

She made this known while addressing participants and guests at the preliminary stage of the 2025 Spelling Bee Competition, held at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, Ikeja, yesterday.

Mrs. Dauda described the Spelling Bee as “a remarkable platform designed by the Lagos State Government to showcase the spelling skills, intellect, and confidence of pupils and students across the state.”

She announced that the winner of the primary school category would serve as One-Day Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, while the first and second runners up would assume the positions of Vice Chairman and Leader of the Legislative Arm respectively.

“It’s a way to motivate them and let them know that excellence comes with responsibility and recognition,” she added.

According to her, the competition, which had been inactive for some time but is now fully restored, represents “a celebration of language, learning, and the incredible dedication of our young learners.”

She explained that the Spelling Bee serves as a preparatory ground for pupils to face future academic challenges, in line with the directives of the Office of Education Quality Assurance, under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

Mrs. Dauda noted that each of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across Lagos State is mandated to conduct the preliminary stage of the competition to select outstanding representatives for the state finals.

“At Ikeja Local Government, we believe in transparency and objective representation. This is why our Education Department, in collaboration with the Quiz Team, visited each of the eight public primary schools to conduct the intra-school stage. The best three pupils from each school are the contestants you see here today,” she said.

Mrs. Dauda urged the winners to give their best performances and embrace sportsmanship at the grand finale of the competition.

“Not everyone can emerge as the winner. But every participant here today is already a champion. Those who do not win this time should take it in good faith, as greater opportunities will still come their way,” she said.

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She also used the occasion to highlight her husband’s administration’s recent educational support initiatives.

She recalled the ‘Back to School’ distribution exercise, during which school bags, notebooks, mathematical sets, and water bottles were given to pupils in public primary and junior secondary schools within the local government.

She explained that the gesture was part of efforts to cushion the effects of the current economic situation on parents, especially those of indigent pupils, and reaffirmed that more educational interventions were underway as dividends of democracy.

Mrs. Dauda expressed appreciation to teachers and education officers for their dedication to nurturing pupils and making the event a success, adding “We can see the impact of your hard work on these children. Beyond human appreciation, I believe the Almighty God will reward you abundantly.”

Miss Zainab Ismail, who emerged as the overall winner, said: “I feel good. My mummy gave me time to learn, and my auntie encouraged me.”

She thanked her family and teachers for their support and advised her colleagues to “keep studying hard and never give up.”

• By Aminah Onanuga, Melawakou Sisianu, Eniola Akinwande

The Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Lukmon Agbaje, has said pupils stand to benefit many things by participating in the Spelling Bee Competition.

The competition was introduced in Lagos State by First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her husband’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State.

Speaking during the event, which had the participation of pupils from primary and secondary schools in the council, Agbaje said the competition was more than just a spelling contest.

He added that the competition revives the dying reading culture and encourages excellence among the pupils.

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“This spelling bee is about building confidence, promoting a reading culture, and encouraging excellence among our children. Education remains the best legacy we can give, and Ayobo-Ipaja will continue to invest in it for the sake of our future generations,” he said.

The  Deputy Director, Education District 1, Mrs. Rihanat Adeogun, praised the initiative, noting that “spelling bees sharpen vocabulary, strengthen reading culture, and prepare children for future academic challenges”.

In the primary school category, Praise Paul emerged as the winner, with Adedayo Abigail and Ayodele Victoria clinching the second and third positions respectively. Their performances drew loud applause and admiration from the audience.

Expressing gratitude after his victory, Paul said: “All I can say is that God helped me. I also want to thank the council chairman for this great opportunity.”

The secondary school category also featured outstanding performances, with participants demonstrating remarkable confidence and determination. Though the results were highly competitive, organisers described every contestant as a winner for their courage, hard work, and dedication.

Some of the parents at the event also commended the programme, describing it as a motivation for pupils to take education more seriously.

The competition concluded with the presentation of prizes, certificates, and group photographs.