The Lagos State Government has given winners of the 2018/2019 Spelling Bee competition in the primary and secondary categories scholarship awards, in addition to qualifying for cultural scholarship exchange programme trip to Finland, as well as cash prizes.

Speaking at ceremony held at the conference room of the Lagos State Ministry of Education in strict compliance to all safety protocols, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, commended the winners and disclosed that the level of performance from the students attest to the fact that the Lagos State Government is committed to the delivery of quality education, not just in public schools but also in private schools.

She advised the winners of the competition, in the primary and secondary category for 2018/2019, to continue to make the State Government proud in their future academic pursuits, saying that “To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Also Expected”.

In her words: “We expect you to graduate with First Class Degrees at the end of your university education in order to make the Lagos State Government proud. But to continue to excel, you must be determined to shun pride, disobedience and lukewarm attitude towards your studies”.

While revealing that past Spelling Bee winners have all excelled in their callings by becoming political figures and thriving in their chosen careers, she charged them not to rest on their oars, saying “It is a big task to climb up the ladder of your career and to make first-class but I believe you can do it with God on your side”.

In her contribution, the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, stated that it is very important that the winners were honoured and celebrated even if they had won in the past because as a State, we have responsibility towards all students.

While imploring the students to go out and be good ambassadors of Lagos State globally, Seriki-Ayeni commended the founder of New Era Foundation, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu for the laudable initiative, noting the competition has become more competitive and has been digitalised because Y2020 edition was held online.

She averred that earlier in the day, the winner of the 2018/2019 Spelling Bee competition in the secondary school category, Miss Ajala Gloria Eniola, in her capacity as the ‘One Day Governor’ and in the company of her cabinet members, first and second runners up, Miss Ikhariale Grace Osity and Miss Akinbodewa Oluwatosin, paid a courtesy call to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat at his office.

The winner of the 2018/2019 Spelling Bee competition in the secondary school category, Miss Ajala Gloria Eniola went home with a cash gift of N250,000, while the first runner up, Miss Ikhariale Grace Osity was presented with a cash gift of N150,000 and the second runner up, Miss Akinbodewa Oluwatosin got N100,000.

In the primary school category, Master Sheidu Abdulhafeez Haruwa, who came first was presented with a cash gift of N150,000, the first runner up, Master Saheed Ismaila, got N100,000 and the second runner up, Master Adekunle Victor Jesupamilerin received N75,000 as his reward.