By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka
A 10-year-old pupil of St. Anthony Nursery/Primary School Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, Miss Agina Graham has emerged overall winner of the Spelling Bee Competition organised by Joseph Onourah Foundation, a Nongovernmental organisation.
The event participated by 110 schools within Ọrumba North and Orumba South Council Areas, had the 8-year-old Miss Nwafor Chimamada of Pope John Paul Two Nursery/Primary School Oko, Ọrumba North and Miss Ojiekwe Chimamada (age 11) of Community School Ezira in Orumba South Local Government Area cliching second and third positions respectively.
Speaking at grand finale of the event held at Ndiowu, Ọrumba North LGA, the Project Manager, Mr. Owu Victor Kelechi, explained that the competition allowed contestants to spell a broad selection of words for their educational level with varying degrees of difficulty so as to enhance their learning.
'One hundred and ten schools participated. At the end, 10 schools were shortlisted and three represented by those people mentioned emerged winners. The first position won a sum of ₦100,000 while the second and third positions got ₦75,000 and ₦50,000 each. Others went home with consolation prizes of such as school bags, launch bags, launch boxes, among others," he added.
Earlier speaking, the founder of Joseph Onuorah Foundation, Dr.Joseph Onuorah, said the programme was among the various academic programmes he initiated towards encouraging healthy competition and improved learning among the pupils in the two Council Areas.