By Gabriel Dike
Eleven-year-old pupil of Greenpath Preparatory School, Abuja, Amazing-Grace Ebiebi Salami, has emerged the winner of the maiden edition of Spelling Bee in Nigeria (SpIN).
At the grand finale of the competition, Salami, defeated 64 pupils from different schools and went home with a month watering prizes.
Among the prizes, Salami will represent Nigeria at the Centenary edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC, USA.
She will also get $500 spending money, an engraved trophy, Indomie products, a gold medal and one year Merriam-Webster dictionary subscription, worth over $10,000.
The 1st and 2nd runners-up went to Claire Ifeoluwa Okuboyejo of Bridging Gaps School, Lekki, Lagos and Naomi Ogiugo of the Lagoon School, Lagos.
Ifeoluwa and Ogiugo received Indomie products, $100 spending money, a silver and bronze medal respectively, an opportunity to attend the Centenary edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC, automatic entry at semi-final for next edition, citation of recognition and novels worth N20, 000.
The organizers of SpIN said the 64 national finalists in round 1, took a vocabulary test, made up of 30 questions and 1 passage, which carried 45 marks.
It further explained that all the spellers went through round 2, those who met the minimum pass mark advanced to round 3, adding, “from this round, any misspelt word will take spellers out of the competition.
In her address, the acting US Consul General, JoEllen Gorg, said the United States is hosting the inaugural Spelling Bee in Nigeria finals.
Gorg said this year will also commemorate the 100 anniversary of the United States’ first national Spelling Bee, noting, “since 1925, the Spelling Bee has showcased American excellence, while promoting literacy and a love of the English language.
“We are excited this year will also mark Nigeria’s first entrance into the competition, alongside students from all 50 United States and international students from Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, and more.”
She said the USA believes in educating youths and that currently, there are over 20,000 Nigeria students studying in the United States.
The Convener, Spelling Bee in Nigeria, Eugenia Tachie-Menson, said the competition started with 200 students from 15 schools and they encountered World of word, roots, etymology, and linguistic patterns that have enriched their academic pursuits beyond spelling.
According to her, the 64 finalists vying for the star prize are from schools in Abuja, Lagos, Osun, and Taraba states.
She said the 64 students have honed the ability to analyse word structures, recall roots and origins, and apply linguistic knowledge across various academic disciplines.
“These skills will serve them not just in competition, but throughout their lives, enhancing critical thinking, comprehension in profound ways,” she noted.
The Executive Director, Scripps National Spelling Bee, USA, Corrie Loeffler, acknowledged that the competition is growing, which is a testament to the joy of learning and competition.
Loeffler commended Eugenia Tachie-Menson for bringing the opportunity to the students of Nigeria and that she can’t wait to welcome the Nigeria champion to the global stage.