L-r… Deputy Leader, Odi- Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area.(LCDA) Hon. Haruna Adeosun: Vice Chairman; Hon. Niyi Awodogon, Executive Chairman; Dr Seyi Jakande, Council Treasurer.Mr Rufai Mujitaba, during the Spelling Bee Competition held at the (LCDA) in Lagos on 14/10/2026… Photos: Chinyere Ikeanyi.
Chinyere Ikeanyi
Pupils from primary schools in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, have competed for academic honours in a spelling bee competition designed to promote literacy, reading culture and educational excellence among young learners.
The competition, held on Wednesday at the council hall, was organised by the LCDA under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Dr Seyi Jakande and Chairperson, Hon. Mrs Adebimpe Jakande, as part of the national spelling bee initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The contest provided a platform for pupils to demonstrate their spelling skills and apply knowledge acquired in the classroom, with the best-performing candidates expected to advance to the next stage of the competition involving other local governments and LCDAs.
Speaking at the event, Jakande described the competition as an opportunity for pupils to test their academic abilities beyond routine classroom assessments.
He said the programme encouraged pupils to prepare for academic challenges and looked forward to opportunities to demonstrate what they had learnt.
Jakande likened the competition to the preliminary rounds of a football tournament, explaining that outstanding pupils from the LCDA would proceed to compete against their counterparts from other councils.
Representing the chairperson, the Council Manager, Mrs Mojisola Ogabi, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening literacy, encouraging regular reading and fostering healthy academic competition among pupils.
Ogabi also highlighted the council’s education interventions, including the distribution of back-to-school materials to all seven primary schools in the LCDA and free General Certificate of Education (GCE) registration for more than 1,000 candidates.
Other initiatives, she said, included information and communication technology training with laptop awards for outstanding participants, annual quiz and debate competitions, school infrastructure support and sponsorship of sporting activities.
One of the standout winners, Aina Heritage Oluwajomiloju from Ramsome Kuti Memorial Senior Grammar School Mushin, attributed her performance to regular library visits and consistent practice with her spelling book.
Advising fellow students on how to improve their academic performance, she urged them to cultivate the habit of reading rather than spending their free time playing.
“Every time you are busy, carry something to read, not play,” she said.
She also pledged to prepare more intensively to defend her title in subsequent competitions.
Organisers congratulated all participants, noting that taking part in the contest was itself an achievement, while encouraging the pupils to study harder, read widely and pursue academic excellence.
The competition forms part of broader efforts to nurture young talents and strengthen foundational education through activities that encourage learning, confidence and healthy competition among schoolchildren.
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
