The prestigious Oba Ayangburen and the Bee is back for its highly anticipated 2024 edition, promising to be an engaging and educational experience for primary school pupils across Lagos State. This unique spelling competition, which debuted in 2022, is designed to help young students enhance their knowledge of the English language through a competitive yet entertaining platform.
The third edition of this contest has drawn over 2,000 registrations from pupils in both private and government-owned primary schools across 12 Local Government Areas in Lagos State, including Alimosho, Apapa, Kosofe, Mushin, Somolu, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Amuwo Odofin, Ikorodu, Ibeju Lekki, and Epe. The competition will run in four stages: dictation, oral contest, semi-finals, and the grand finale, which will take place at the Ikorodu Town Ultramodern Hall on November 27, 2024.
According to the Project Coordinator, Miss Taiwo Otesanya, this year’s edition has seen the participation of approximately 250 private schools, thanks to a partnership with the Lagos State chapter of the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED). Government-owned schools were not left out, as Chairmen from the participating LGAs in collaboration with Builder Adeola Adebisi Banjo, Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, sponsored several pupils to partake in the competition.
In addition, organisations like the Ikorodu Market Men & Women Association, under the leadership of Iyaloja-General Deaconess Busola Isikalu, and the Lagos State Youth Parliament have sponsored pupils, demonstrating the widespread community support for this initiative.
“Oba Ayangburen and the Bee is set to become the biggest spelling bee contest in Africa, positioning Nigerian primary schools as a breeding ground for academic excellence,” said Miss Otesanya. The competition will test students’ spelling skills and challenge them to progress from the dictation stage to the oral contest, semi-finals, and finally, the grand finale, where 30 finalists will compete for the coveted title.
In a bid to elevate the project further, the Project Coordinator, Miss Taiwo Otesanya also announced the introduction of the Oba Ayangburen and the Bee Advocates of Education Awards. “The awards aim to celebrate individuals and organisations dedicated to promoting educational development in Lagos State. A maximum of two recipients will be selected from each of the five geopolitical zones constituting Lagos (IBILE Forum), bringing the total number of awardees to 10. This initiative underscores the importance of recognising those who have consistently contributed to the advancement of education across the state” she explained.
At the grand finale, dignitaries from various sectors will be present to support HRM (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, in whose honour the spelling contest was established. The winner of this year’s contest will walk away with an array of exciting prizes, including cash awards, scholarships, corporate endorsements, and a full 6-year scholarship courtesy of Kingsfield Schools.
Project initiator Mr. Temidayo Phillips revealed that this year’s edition is enjoying support from confirmed brands such as *BIC, Colgate, Kingsfield Group of Schools, Confidence Global Communication, Beloxxi Biscuits, Pop Cola, Epee Tech Solution, Oshodi Arts Gallery, O.P.E.N., Headway Events, Oriwu Club, Tech Quest, Alakada TV, G & M Laundry, Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative, Ikorodu Town Hall, Peak Milk, LIRS, SLOT SYSTEM, Ikorodu North LCDA, EAS TV, and Senator Abiru*
He also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with several prospective supporting brands, including Justrite Supermarkets, Labule Restaurant, Grand Oil, Thermocool, Fan Milk, Divas Cakes, Lagos State House Of Assembly, LTV 8, and LASAA
With all preparations in full swing, families and participants are eagerly anticipating this year’s grand finale, which promises to be a breathtaking event where children showcase their academic prowess in a thrilling competition.
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