Competition - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Mar, Mon, 2025

Nigeria to host 7th African Spelling Bee April 9

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By Akpan Glory

Nigeria is set to host the 7th African Spelling Bee (ASB) from April 9 to 13, marking the first time the prestigious competition will be held in a West African nation.

Mr Abdulsalam Ibrahim, National Coordinator of the Nigeria Spelling Bee, announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Established in 2016, the ASB has previously been hosted by South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi.

The Nigeria Spelling Bee, operating under the Bee Spelling Competition Initiative, serves as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for this year’s event.

Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education, the organisation conducts spelling competitions across all Nigerian states and represents the country in international contests, including the ASB.

According to Ibrahim, the African Spelling Bee was founded with the vision of celebrating the African child, inspiring literacy, and creating a platform for connection and confidence-building among young learners.

He stated that the competition aims to enhance literacy and academic excellence while cultivating a strong reading culture.

The national coordinator noted that the competition also seeks to develop self-esteem and interpersonal skills while building human capital through capacity development.

He said it also aims to promote community-based partnerships and celebrate the cultural diversity and unity of African children.

He noted that this year’s event will bring together the top National Spelling Bee Champions from over 20 African countries.

They include; Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“The ASB embodies the spirit of Pan-Africanism by uniting young people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate linguistic prowess and cultural heritage.

“Through spelling competitions, African general knowledge quizzes, and cultural exchanges, the event fosters unity and mutual respect among participants, nurturing a generation poised to lead and transform the continent”.

Ibrahim highlighted Nigeria’s strong track record in the ASB, having secured multiple championship titles in previous editions.

He also noted that Nigerian spellers are preparing to defend the Senior Championship title won by Praises Minabowa in the last African Spelling Bee, reflecting the nation’s commitment to educational excellence and youth development.

“The upcoming event in Abuja is expected to be the largest yet, with more than 20 African countries anticipated to participate, each presenting their top six champions vying for the coveted title of African Spelling Bee Champion in both the senior and junior categories.

“Beyond being a competition, the event will be a celebration of Africa’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage, reflecting the continent’s dedication to fostering education, unity, and excellence among its youth,” Ibrahim said. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Tue, 2024

Science & Tech

FG rewards Nigerian vehicle designer with electric car

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By Khadijat Ahmed/Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has rewarded Mr Enoch Tobiloba with an electric car, after emerging the winner of a challenge to design a hybrid car that uses both Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electricity.

Mr Joseph Osanipin, Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), presented the vehicle to Tobiloba in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the challenge was organised by the NADDC and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives, Monitoring and Delivery.

The competition, which was held from Sept. 11 to Sept. 12 was designed to equip youths with the knowledge and skills needed to capitalise on the opportunities in the CNG value chain.

The initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Osanipin expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing local auto industry and fostering innovation among Nigerian youths.

He emphasised the imperative of commencing the design of vehicles that are uniquely ours and produced with the topography of Nigeria in consideration.

“In a bid to elevate local content in vehicle manufacturing, the initiative encourages aspiring designers to engage in the full vehicle development process, starting from concept design to production.

“It all starts with designing. We want to engage Nigerians so that we can design vehicles, beginning with components such as rim, shock absorbers and other essential parts.

“The programme aims to gradually increase the local content of vehicles, allowing for a more sustainable automotive sector. Currently, efforts are underway to design and produce various component parts domestically.

“After the designing phase, we will gather people in Nigeria to produce these parts. Once we have successfully tested and integrated them, we can proceed to mass production,” Osanipin said.

While acknowledging the complexity of the project, the director-general expressed confidence in the timeline set for the next four years.

He, however, said that progress would be steady, as there were no immediate deadlines for completion.

“So it is gradual. We cannot say it will be done in two years or three years but we have taken the step and we are moving ahead with that step.

Let us see where it will take us in the next four years,” he said.

Osanipin congratulated the winner, who he identified as EV brand Ambassador and urged him not to relent in his endeavours.

“So we want you to continue to empower yourself, develop yourself, and then see how this will lead us as a country,” he said.

The recipient of the electric vehicle, Mr Enoch Tobiloba, a final year student of Yaba Technology College, expressed delight at the recognition and thanked the NADDC and the government.

“I am very happy because this has strengthened my hope in the future for automobile engineering and design in Nigeria.

”This is a motivation for me to keep doing what I do best, which is transportation design.

“This is an eye opener to everybody and other transportation design enthusiasts not to give up but try to find their way into auto industries in Nigeria to help boost the sector,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman