Odutola Dolapo of Montclair College, Ogun State has emerged the Senior National Champion of the 2019 Season of Nigeria Spelling Bee. In the same vein, Grace Idowu also of Montclair College is the Junior Champion of the national literary competition. These Spellers have won for themselves a #1,000,000 scholarship and a #100,000 cash prize for the Senior and Junior Champions respectively.

Declaring the competition open, the Founder of Ritman University, Distinguished Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien declared 50% tuition scholarships to the Champions in both categories in addition to the Nigeria Spelling Bee prizes.

The winning words were  “Pointe” and “Cantankerous” for the champions.

Coming in as a close 1st runner up is Sulaiman Dunoma of Federal Government College Maiduguri, with Alexander Amaike of Federal Government College Maiduguri clinching the 2nd runner-up position, both in the senior category. In the junior league, we have Simon Ayobami of Montclair College Ogun and Peter Onyekachi of Best Brains College Ibadan coming in 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively. These spellers have proven themselves to be the best spellers in Nigeria.

In the Essay Writing competition which were part of activities for the National Finals, we have the best writers as Adaugo Nnamdi-Kanu of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (Girls Section) Abuja and Sadiq Rayhan Olanrewaju of Chaste Intellect International School Ilorin in the junior and senior categories respectively.

In addition to their National Prizes, these spellers have won an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Nigeria at the 2019 African Spelling Bee in Uganda, this October. Their predecessors last year went to the continental stage and won all three titles of Best Senior Speller, Joint Best Junior Speller and Best Country Team.

This season’s National Finals was hosted by Ritman University Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom State. The competition was organised by the Bee Spelling Competition Initiative, a self-sponsored NGO endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Speaking at the opening of the competition, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, the founder of Ritman University welcomed all spellers who came from the length and breadth of the Nation to showcase their spelling prowess and charged them to be good cultural and unity ambassadors of the country in any part of the nation they may reside.

The Vice-Chancellor of Ritman University, Prof. Celestine Ntuen, also charged these spellers to do all they can to bring about positive change in the society that will foster a more peaceful living and prosperity for all. It was also interesting to note the giant strides the university has been able to make within its short existence, which includes coming in the top in all accredited courses and winning multiple awards at both local and international outings by its students.

Mr Gbenga Omotosho, the South-West Regional Coordinator, representing the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Nigeria Spelling Bee, expressed the organizers highest appreciation to Ritman University for hosting the Spellers and treating them to a world-class university experience.

The organisers of the competition also wish to thank all schools, teachers and parents who participated in the 2019 Season, even as we wish to inform the general public that registration for the 2020 Season of Nigeria Spelling Bee is already ongoing online at www.NigeriaSpellingBee.com/register, competition will resume in the 1st term of the 2019/2020 Academic Session.