Spell your way to stardom. The Writers Lens™

Olamilekan Oluwagbenga

Olamilekan Oluwagbenga and Sosanya Oluwaseun have emerged as winners in the 2017 edition of Ifako Family Annual Spelling Bee Competition.

They were both rewarded with a medal, trophy, customised certificate, sterling bank plc educational gift package and cash. Olamilekan is a student of Prospect Private College whilst Sosanya is a student of Bizben International School. They both gave a good account of themselves having gone through six rounds with over six hundred registered participants to remain the last set of participants standing tall in the competition.  Undoubtedly both students would hold their heads high when they resume next academic session respectively in Senior Secondary (SS) 3 and Junior Secondary (JS) 1 come September 2017.

Joshua Badifu, of Emstel School and Peace Jemiluwa, of Chalk Heel College emerged first runners–up in the junior and senior category as Michael Aluko, of McRoyal College and Victor Okoh, of Hill View Comprehensive College came third in the junior and senior category respectively.

Sosanya Oluwaseun

The first runners–up and third place winners in the junior and senior categories were also rewarded with medals, customised certificates and sterling bank plc educational gift packages.

From all indications this is yet another successful annual spelling bee competition, hosted by Overcomers Sanctuary, First Rehoboth Zonal Head Quarters, Lagos Province 9 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Ifako Family Spelling Bee competition started in 2015 with over a hundred registered participants. The 2016 edition had over four hundred registered participants.

In addition to the traditional format of word pronunciations, the 2017 edition of the spelling bee competition embraced ‘word identification’ for both the junior and senior categories.

Every registered Ifako Family Spelling Bee participants must dress in white top on black which is a major rule in the competition. However participants are instantly eliminated once they either fail to identify a word correctly or spell a word wrongly. Participants hand pick for themselves from the pool of enclosed words already typed out clearly on a photo sized sheet of paper with its dictionary meaning, definition and origin. These students only have ten seconds to either spell the word correctly as read out by the moderator or receive the elimination ticket.

The moderator’s decision can only be over-ruled by the independent, incorruptible judge who is supported by the chief organizer Pastor Adewale Solu who also seats as the Chairman.

The essence of this competition is to encourage and motivate students into imbibing personal self-study habits which would in the long run improve their level of concentration during learning. This would also enable them pay attention to details whilst embracing defeat as an avenue to improve on their weak spots.

This year’s competition had strategic partners who in one way or the other contributed to the success of this competition. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to them all; in no particular order we thank the following companies, Tucloz Entertainment, Boulos Food & Beverages, Sweet Sensation, Nigeria Bottling Company, makers of soft carbonated beverage drinks, Fan Milk, Sterling Bank Plc and De United Foods Industries, makers of Indomie Noodles. These companies are proud partners for the just concluded 2017 edition of the Ifako Family Spelling Bee competition.