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Students from Nasarawa, Ondo and Lagos State to Represent Nigeria at International Spelling Bee Competition in Dubai
Schools from Nasarawa, Ondo and Lagos State recently emerged winners at the recently concluded ninth edition of the International Spelling Bee Nigeria, organised by Peat Philips Foundation, while six students outwitted other finalists at the national final which took place at Marcellina’s place in Ikeja, Lagos.
Agbo Divine Capable of Intimacy with Christ International School, Nasarawa came first in the senior category while Miss David Kate Ene also of Intimacy with Christ International School, Nasarawa and Master Charles David from Greater Tomorrow International School Ondo State came second and third respectively.
The junior category was won by Ojochenemi Solomon Ojotumale of Intimacy with Christ International School, Nasarawa, and Fakande Ifeoluwa David of The Truth Academy Lagos and Odunlami Temiloluwa Janet of Bopton Nry & Pry School, Lagos coming second and third respectively.
Speaking at the national final of this year’s The Spelling Bee Nigeria Competition, the Team Lead at Peat Philips Foundation, organisers of the competition, Mr Akinleye Olu-Philips, said such competitions would build the knowledge of participants, boost their memory and confidence, as well as create healthy competitive spirit.
“Spelling bee involves the use of words and how it is applied in communication”. We believe that when the young ones are taught to develop critical thinking ability at early stage, it will help equip them as great leaders in adulthood. When a word is called out to be spelt, a participant should not assume what it could mean and that is why the participant has the right to ask relevant questions, which are known as the Lifelines. For instance, reign and rain may sound similar, but they are not the same. That is telling the participant not to assume, assumption could be dangerous at times.
“Assumption is one of the factors that is drawing us back in our nation”. The competition is also to help participants develop critical thinking skills. Today ’s world requires people who can think out of the box. Critical thinkers are needed for the growth of our society,” he said.
The Team Lead at Peat Philips Foundation, Mr. Akinleye Olu-Phillips, said spelling enhances education by improving students’ critical reasoning skills and helps Learners develop poise and composure.
“It also encourages reading because if you are a reader, you will be a great speller, and you will have depth and can contribute meaningfully to the development of any nation you find yourself in,” stated Olu-Phillips.
He said the foundation runs two literacy programmes, with international affiliations, The spelling bee and The young orators, which are focused on leadership and communications, believed to be one of the country’s major challenges.
While congratulating the winners, he advised them not to rest on their oars but to study hard and prepare for the intercontinental stage in the first week of October, 2022.
The event this year was sponsored by Learn Africa Plc formerly known as Longman Publishers with support from Indomie Noodles and Rite Foods Plc.
In his speech, the Managing Director, Learn Africa Plc, Alhaji Hassan Bala said Spelling Bee Competition would improve students Spelling and vocabulary and boost their confidence. He said Learn Africa dictionaries comprising Learn Africa Student’s English Dictionary for intermediate students and Learn Africa English Dictionary for Advanced Learners are the official dictionaries of the International Spelling Bee and The Young Orators competitions in Nigeria.
