– Convener, Akpem Michael Ngutor receives commendation for the highly impactful project and has been charged to do more in sustaining the laudable Initiative.
The Maiden edition of Elite Debate and Spelling Bee Competition for Rural Secondary Schools in Osun State was successfully held on Saturday, 25th June 2022 at Oke – Ila Orangun, Ifedayo LGA of Osun State with large turnout of Participants.
The Competition which is the brain child of an NYSC Corp Member, Akpem Michael Ngutor serving in Oke-Ila Orangun, Ifedayo LGA is the first of it’s kind to be organised in Osun State and South West Nigeria providing exclusive opportunities for rural School Children to interact, compete and access support for their Education at various levels via access to Scholarship Awards, Funding for Teachers training/recruitment, Infrastructural development amongst others benefits for Institutions.
The event which was graced by the Paramount ruler of Ifedayo LGA, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedokun Abolarin (Orangun Of Oke-Ila) had Mr. Olalekan Osundina (Seasoned Entrepreneur, Businessman and Educationist from Osun State), Mr. Okanlawon Adebisi (CEO/MD Kiakia Landlord), Comr. Habib Lawal – R (CEO/MD CityBright Ltd), Hajia Maryam Yusuf Aladi – R (Businesswoman and Philantropist, Kwara State), Community and Religious Leaders, School Administrators, Youths, Women and Students drawn from Schools across Ifedayo LGA present to attend the history making event.
The Competition which was primarily meant to evaluate the quality of literary Education the Students were accessing at their respective Schools and expose them alongside their Institutions to opportunities to access support was keenly contested by participants who displayed unique performances in both Debate and Spelling Bee at Senior Secondary Schools and Junior Secondary Schools levels respectively.
The Paramount ruler of Ifedayo LGA, Oba Adedokun Abolarin was presented with a unique Award of Excellence at the event for his immense contributions to the Education of the Nigerian Child haven established the ” only Tuition Free Secondary Institution in South West Nigeria ” where less previleged Students across the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria are selected annually and trained through a 6 Year program to become better citizens through access to premium Education at zero cost; a feat that has accounted for the training of scores of Students who are in tertiary institutions across Nigeria and beyond since the Institution’s creation.
Speaking after receiving the Award, Oba Abolarin applauded the Organisers of the Maiden Edition of Osun State’s Debate & Spelling Bee Competition led by Akpem Michael Ngutor calling it a landmark achievement in the history of Community Development Projects done by NYSC Corp Members serving in the State and perhaps across Nigeria. He also used the opportunity to appreciate and encourage the young Spellers and Debaters to take their Education seriously as it remains the most veritable platform for their success in life.
Awards were also Presented to other dignatories across Osun State who have contributed immensely to the Education of the Osun Child at various levels such as Her Excellency Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola (First Lady of Osun State), His Excellency, Gov. Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola (Executive Governor of Osun State), Sen. Ademola Adeleke (Former Senator Representing Osun West Senatorial District) and Hon. Idowu Abiodun (Executive Chairman, Ifedayo LGA).
The Following Schools emerged as the best after the Series of Competitions amongst participating Institutions.
DEBATE
1. Abolarin College, Oke Ila – First (1st) Position
2. Hope and Glory Group of Schools, Oke Ila – First Runner’s Up (2nd Position)
3. Oke Ila Grammar School, Ifedayo LGA – Second Runner’s Up (3rd Position)
SPELLING BEE
1. Abolarin College, Oke Ila – First (1st) Position
2. Hope and Glory Group of Schools, Oke Ila – First Runner’s Up (2nd Position)
3. Peace and Unity Secondary School, Ora Igbomino – Second Runner’s Up (3rd Position)
Individual Awards were won also:
Elite Debater – Olasunkanmi Oluwaseun
Elite Speller – Jimoh Hasabala
All Winners, Participants, their Institutions and Teachers were presented with Certificates, Gifts and Educational Materials at the end of the Program.
Akpem Michael Ngutor (Convener) on behalf of the Central Planning Commitee (CPC) extended his appreciation to All Guests and Participants who graced and supported the all important event which he reiterated to have began a journey to raise the next generation of literary Giants across Nigeria from rural Schools. He urged the Students and Guests present to take the news of Osun State and Nigeria’s rural Educational revolution which has started in Oke Ila Orangun to their respective Schools and States as the Competition will become a series to capture all rural Schools in the State in subsequent editions.
He called on the State Government, Civil Society Organisations, the organised Private Sector and Development partners to take seriously the recommendations which will be presented by the Organisers after an exercise that has revealed clearly how much potential exists in Nigeria’s rural education sector to be tapped for National development.
A Comprehensive report on the Elite Debate and Spelling Bee Competition which will continue as an annual series in Osun State and recommendations for critical interventions in readdressing rural Child Education in the State will for formally presented by the Organisers to the Osun State Government, Ministry of Education, Civil Society Organisations and Shared with UNICEF, UNDP, LEAP Africa and other development Stakeholders in the Education of Children for requisite action to rescue and redeem rural education in the State and across Nigeria.
Follow www.facebook.com/osundebatesandspells/ for more updates on the drive to reposition rural Child Education across Osun State.
See photos below:
