Ekiti students share N350,000 in debate, spelling contest

Students from three secondary schools in the Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State have won a total of N350,000 in cash prizes at an inter-school debate and spelling competition organised by Gold Disciples, a political group.

The group comprises loyalists and supporters of a former Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adedayo.

The competition, which featured secondary schools across the local government area, was organised to identify and nurture students’ talents, promote academic excellence and help them make informed career choices.

At the competition, Otun Comprehensive High School, Otun Ekiti, emerged first and received N200,000, while Aaye Comprehensive High School, Aaye Oja, and Ikosun High School, Ikosun Ekiti, came second and third, receiving N100,000 and N50,000 respectively.

‎Speaking during the grand finale of the competition held at Otun Ekiti, the headquarters of Moba Local Government, Adedayo said the initiative was aimed at discovering and developing the God-given talents of young people.

‎He stressed the need to develop young people’s talents and support educational advancement, describing the initiative as part of his group’s efforts to build a better future for the local government area and Ekiti State.

‎He said, “No society can develop when the capacities of its productive population are being undermined through lack of right education and skills.”

‎Congratulating the winning schools, Adedayo said the prizes were part of efforts to encourage students’ participation in an academic event marked by intellectual excellence, healthy competition and displays of talent.

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‎He commended the participating schools for demonstrating confidence, knowledge, creativity and commitment to academic excellence.

‎He said, “Beyond the competition, this initiative reinforces the importance of investing in young minds, encouraging academic excellence, nurturing confidence, and creating platforms where the next generation can discover, develop and showcase their potentials.

‎”Indeed, this year’s edition has set a remarkable standard and we are already looking forward to an even bigger, better and more impactful edition next year. This is going to be an annual event. Please, let us continue to build on the legacy we have laid and experiences we have garnered, so that we can improve remarkably next year.”

‎The former commissioner also urged individuals and corporate organisations to partner with the government to rebuild the Nigerian education sector and make it competitive and qualitative, like those of advanced countries.

‎Describing education as the most important tool for driving national greatness and prosperity, Adedayo said leaving the responsibility of funding and developing the sector to the government alone could undermine the country’s future.

‎He said, “Nigeria must learn from the advanced countries of the world, where individuals and private organisations see huge financial donations to education as a sine-qua-non to building quality and functional system that would be of tremendous benefit to their greatness.

‎”Government alone cannot fund education, this is practically impossible. It needs our partnerships. Nothing is too small to contribute to build the capacities of our students and young ones as patriotic citizens. Waiting for the government alone to shoulder this responsibility may hamper our development.”