The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education on Monday hosted Miss Esther Etiyemonu, winner of the 21st Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition and the state’s One-Day Governor, at the Secretariat in Alausa.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, described the annual Spelling Bee competition as a lasting legacy of the ministry, urging the students to remain focused and serve as worthy ambassadors of their schools, families and communities.
“As a state, we are to nurture future leaders and build character,” the commissioner said. “The future is bright for dedicated and studious students who remain focused.”
He emphasised the role of parents in modelling good values and mentoring their children, adding that character development must complement academic excellence.
Alli-Balogun also highlighted ongoing reforms and achievements in the state’s education sector, including increased participation of pupils in local and international competitions and the recruitment of more teachers.
He encouraged the One-Day Governor and her team to be well-informed and act as ambassadors of the government’s educational strides.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, noted that the One-Day Governor initiative was designed to expose young people to governance, leadership and public service.
She said the programme inspires students to aspire to excellence, responsibility and active civic engagement from an early age.
The Director-General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Dr Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, commended the resilience and hard work of the winners, describing the competition as keenly contested.
He said the experience of visiting top government offices, which began with a dinner hosted by the wife of the Deputy Governor, was eye-opening for the students and aimed at broadening their understanding of governance.
Ogunmuyiwa encouraged other students across the state to embrace academic competitions and positive challenges, stressing that excellence is achievable through hard work and consistency.
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary,
Education District II, Mr Sanni Omotayo Layemo, also praised the students’ performance and assured them of continued support from school leaders and teachers.
During the visit, laptops were presented to the winners to support their academic development.
The Lagos State Spelling Bee, established in 2001 by Senator Oluremi Tinubu through the New Era Foundation, spans the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state.
The initiative promotes literacy, self-confidence and academic excellence among pupils in public primary and secondary schools.
Miss Etiyemonu was accompanied by the One-Day Deputy Governor, Miss Awoyemi Dorcas, and the One-Day Secretary to the State Government, Miss Salami Jumai, among other student representatives.
The event was attended by top education stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs Victoria Mopelola Peregrino, Tutor-Generals and Permanent Secretaries of the six education districts.
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