Ekiti State Students Shine in MTN Spelling Bee Competition.

Ekiti State Students Shine in MTN Spelling Bee Competition.

By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi J.

In a significant achievement, students from Ekiti State secured the first and second runner-up positions in the MTN Spelling Bee Competition, hosted at the MTN Plaza in Falomo, Ikoyi, on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition, designed to enhance English language and spelling skills, targeted Nigerian Primary and Secondary school students aged 9 to 15.

Representing Ekiti, Ajibola Flourish and Oluwadamilola Adeolu, both from St Metropolitan College, emerged as the 2nd and 1st Runners-up, respectively. Aged 13 and 11, they each received over four million naira, a laptop, laptops for their schools, and 10 MIFI 5G routers for their schools.

Nkanu Victor, a 13-year-old student from I.W.C.S, Nasarawa state, clinched the top prize, winning 2.5 million naira, a laptop, and the honorary title of CEO of MTN for 24 hours. His school also received 20 laptops, 10 5G MIFI routers, and various other benefits.

Commendations poured in for Ekiti state, underscoring the success of the competition in promoting academic growth and self-improvement among primary and secondary school students aged 9 to 15. Over 30,000 students from across the country participated in the event, which began in August 2023.

In her statement, Obiageli Ugboma, the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer of MTN Nigeria, congratulated the finalists for their stellar performances.

Though Flourish Ajibola is out of the country, in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, representing Nigeria, the journey graciously sponsored by Ekiti State Governor, H.E Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

This accomplishment mirrors the dedication of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, whose focus on education has led to initiatives such as the renovation of schools, recruiting and training standard qualified teachers, the distribution of educational materials, and innovative programs to financially support education.

The state government's recent announcement of ongoing renovations in 203 public secondary schools, under the World Bank-assisted Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program, further demonstrates Ekiti's commitment to providing quality education. This initiative aims to enhance secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls aged between 10 and 20.

Governor Oyebanji's approval of ₦158.15 million for Bursary and scholarship awards solidifies the state's dedication to accessible and quality education, supporting students at various academic levels.

Education remains a focal point in the agenda of Governor Biodun Oyebanji Abayomi, and Ekiti State stands proud in academic excellence.