Ayangburen and the bee spelling contest debuts

Children without doubt are the delight of the world. Their innocent views and free perspective on issues around them buttress the universal belief that the qualitative development of any society is dependent upon that of the children.

The above, fuelled by the conviction that the psychological and moral development of a child is not limited to the four walls of the classroom, but out-of-classroom atmospheres that allows for interaction, exposure and learning that is not too formal, yet conducive and impactive, are what inspired the creative mind behind Kismet Kiddies Entertainment, Mr. Temidayo Phillips to come up with Oba Ayangburen and the bee.

Oba Ayangburen and the bee is a spelling Bee contest designed to allow students of the same age bracket to compete in a spelling challenge: an exercise that expose them to a challenge which helps in enhancing their knowledge of the English language amongst other things.

The suspense and emotions that comes with this competition which accommodates primary school-aged children from private and government-owned primary school is akin to that which is seen at reality/game TV shows. Therefore, it would not be out of place to regard Oba Ayagburen and the bee as a double-edged initiative that provides entertainment as well as education.

The contest which commenced with its preliminaries on Monday, September 26 at the Palace pavilion of Ayangburen of Ikorodu according to its calendar is slated to run in four stages namely stage one – DICTATION; stage two – ORAL CONTEST; stage three – SEMI-FINAL and the Grand finale.

According to the release signed by the Project Coordinator, Miss Ruth Dooshima Tsekar, the total number of participants in this contest is about 1, 000 children. While about 250 private schools within Ikorodu division had not less than 2 of their kids as participants, the Chairmen of each of the 5 LCDAs and 1 Local Government within Ikorodu division also sponsored 10 participants from their respective council areas. In the same vein, some participants got sponsored by religious institutions like churches and mosques within the division while some enjoyed the sponsorship of associations, SMEs and private individuals within the division.

“Oba Ayagburen and the bee is posed to be the biggest spelling bee contest in Africa as it is a way of exposing to the entire world, Nigerian primary schools as a pool for the best of brains. Successful contestants from the stage one (dictation stage) are expected to move on to the stage two which is the oral contest and lucky contestants from round two would be at the semi-final. The qualified spellers at the semi-final will slug it out to be amongst the 30 qualifiers expected at the grand finale,” the statement reads

The grand finale of the contest is scheduled for November 6 at the Ikorodu Town Ultramodern hall, and it is expected to record the attendance of dignitaries from all walks of life who will be there to give moral support to the paramount ruler of Ikorodu division, HRM (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu kingdom in whose honour the spelling contest was instituted.

The winner of the maiden edition of Oba Ayagburen and the bee is to go home with mouth-watering prizes like N250,000 cash prize, full scholarship worth N500,000 at Kingsfield schools, Educational android tablet, Ikorodu kids’ ambassador’s badge (staff of office to be presented by the paramount ruler of Ikorodu division, HRM (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu kingdom), corporate endorsement deal worth N500,000, shopping voucher worth N100,000, A computer set for winner’s school, 5 star educational certificate for winner’s school, N100,000 cash prize for spelling coach, winner’s Trophy and medal, A free Family weekend trip to La Campagne Tropicana beach and resort. The first runner-up receives N150,000 cash prize, a medal, N50,000 cash prize for spelling coach, shopping voucher worth N50,000, Computer set for school, a free Family weekend trip to La Campagne Tropicana beach and resort; while the 2nd runner-up receives N100,000 cash prize, a medal, N20,000 cash price for spelling coach, shopping voucher worth N30,000, Computer set for school, A free Family weekend trip to La Campagne Tropicana beach and resort.

The project enjoys the support and identification of notable multinationals like Colgate, Kellogg’s, SLOT NG, Beloxxi Biscuit, Bukka Hut and other brands like Oshodi Arts Gallery, Irish Bakery, Confidence Global Communication, EatNGo, Diva Cakes, Kingsfield College, Daic Global Resources, Ikorodu Town hall, G & M Place, Peace Mass Transit, FANAFILLIT, OPEN, Headway Events, Sangloos media and many others.

The media partners for the project includes Impact Newspaper, Charlian TV, Ajasa Info and others.

Leave A Comment