By Habibu Harisu

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of Nigerian Army in Sokoto, Maj. Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, has urged students to take steps towards improving their spelling and pronunciation skills.

Ajose made the call at the closing ceremony of Spelling Bee competition organised by the Army Chaplain, Lt. Col. Patrick Orji, on Tuesday in Sokoto.

He said Nigerian Army schools and institutions located at various formations would continue to remain committed to promoting uniqueness and unity among communities in the country.

“This competition signifies Nigerian Army’s uniqueness and unity in formations irrespective of ethnic and religious backgrounds.

“Students, parents and community members gathered here to celebrate children’s performance,” he said.

Ajose said that it was important for students to learn how to spell and pronounce words properly.

“School children should learn these two important skills early; these skills will help them as they move up their academic and working careers,” he said.

The GOC commended the competition’s sponsor, Lt. Col. Orji, for investing resources in the academic upbringing of children, saying that the investment would help them to excel as they grow.

He said that the exercise was to make school children to begin early to learn spelling and pronunciation skills.

Speaking also, the competition’s sponsor, said he conceived the idea in recognition of low education programmes among children which had been the practice in the past.

“The intention is to catch them young, the competition serves as a booster to the children’s educational growth.

“We saw how the participants displayed brilliance during the quiz and spelling competitions, it shows that the future is bright for them.

“I urge every child to be confident and must pursue their dreams without fear. Always be willing to correct your errors and develop yourself,” he said.

According to him, the exercise had given the school children an opportunity to understand the importance of early acquisition of spelling and pronunciation skills.

Orji, a Catholic Priest, added that the competition was part of his 25 years anniversary in the parish.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 100 students participated in the two months exercise scheduled in phases and rounds competition involving different schools.

NAN reports that John Terse emerged overall winner with first position, Jennifer Sunday, second position while Fatima Muttaqa and Gertrude Azeh emerged third position.

The sponsor presented consolation prizes to all the 10 best performing students besides first, second and third positions.

Meanwhile, the GOC sponsored an annual school fees for first position, with two pairs of school uniform, gowns, school bag, shoe, with N100,000 as another award.

He also awarded two terms school fees to second position student along with school uniform, school bag, shoe and N50,000.

The third position student got a term’s school fees, school uniform, school bag, shoes and N35,000.

The GOC further awarded N20,000 each to other six best performing students among the first 10 students along with school uniforms. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu