A non-governmental organization, National Achievers Spelling Bee, has concluded its 4th edition of the spelling bee competition, with Senior Secondary School student RAHMAT ABDULKADIR from Paradigm School, Maitumbi, in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State emerging as the overall winner.

In the Junior Secondary category, Rhoda Adeniyi of Ideal Royal School, Minna, clinched 1st position, while in the Primary School category, Mohammed Mudasir of De Scholars Academy won the 1st position.

The spelling bee competition, which was held over the weekend at Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kuri University, Minna, was keenly contested by public and private schools in Niger State.

Other participants who emerged victorious in their various categories include Fatima Yunusa from Ideal Royal School, Minna, who won 2nd position in the Senior Secondary category, and Ibrahim Muhammad from Paradigm School, Maitumbi, who won 3rd position.

Also, Abubakar Sadiq Zubairu of Al-Ali International School won 2nd position in the Junior Secondary category, while Michael Timothy from Green Light Model School won 3rd position.

Similarly, Jessy Pada Joseph of NUT End Well Model Science School, Minna, won 2nd position in the Primary category, and Ameerah Tijani of Ideal Royal School, Minna, took 3rd position.

Speaking to The Guardian shortly, the National Coordinator of Achievers Spelling Bee, Mr Noel Dauda Metrok, explained that the 4th edition of the competition had witnessed tremendous improvement, adding that the children had performed extremely well in the competition.

Mr Metrok disclosed that the spelling bee competition was aimed at bringing back the reading culture, stressing that more schools had keyed into the programme. He called on schools, especially public and private ones, to participate.

He had earlier enjoined the government and non-governmental organisations to contribute their quota to move the annual competition to the next level.

He said, “The students have done very well. We have seen great improvement, and we got more participation from schools,” Noel said.

Dauda, who is also the Director of Achievers Movie Academy, Minna, noted that the spelling bee’s 4th edition had massive support from spirited individuals, public and private organizations.

He lauded his mentor, Alhaji Shaka Adaba, for being the brain behind the formation of the organisation.

He also thanked and appreciated the Patron, Mrs. Celine Muses Alikali, as well as the Provost of the College of Education, Niger State, Professor Yakubu Auna, for always being present during the annual events.

Mr Dauda Metrok hinted that in no distant time, the competition would be extended to other parts of the country.

In their separate remarks, Dr Hauwa Nna Tako Kolo, Director of Community and Family Health Services, Ministry of Primary Health Care, and Yakubu Badamasi, representative of the Desk Officer in charge of School Clubs and Society, Ministry of Education, described the spelling bee competition as a good initiative that has gone a long way in helping school children learn how to read and write effectively.

They stated that the students had exhibited intellectual accuracy that had helped build their confidence and commended the organisers for a job well done.

The overall winner, Rahmat Abdulkadir, and other winners expressed delight with the organisers for giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent.

They also appreciated their parents and guardians, as well as their schools, for their support and encouragement.