Miss Oluebube Ogbonna of Divine Rays British School Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area has emerged winner in the just concluded first ever Igbo Spelling Bee contest in Nigeria.

 

The contest which was organized by Onitsha Business School in partnership with City Speller Bee among others took place at C. J. Patterson Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha.

The Igbo Spelling Bee Contest tagged Oka Nsupe Igbo, 2022 is aimed at inculcating the culture of writing and speaking the Igbo Language among young people and more importantly preserving the Igbo Language which many fear might soon go into extinction.

 

The Oka Nsupe Igbo, 2022, which had students from across the state featured both written and oral competitions where Oluebube Ogbonna of Divine Rays British School, Obosi emerged winner with cash prize of three hundred thousand naira; Chukwuma Oruche of Saint Paul’s Seminary, Ukpor took the Second position with cash prize of one hundred thousand Naira and Godswill Okeke of Divine British School, Obosi came third with a cash prize of fifty thousand naira.

Addressing the students and teachers present, one of the Judges who is also a Professor of Igbo Literature at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Ogochukwu Ifeka charged them to be proud to identify with the Igbo Language by communicating in the language often.

 

She expressed the hope that with the performance of the students which aided their selection, she is optimistic that the Igbo Language will not go into extinction and commended the organizers for such initiative.

Speaking to the ABS in separate interviews, some of the Organizers including Messrs Chinedu Aniagbaoso, Felix Chibuisi and Oluebube Olusegun said the aim of putting up such event is to revive the Igbo Language and encourage the culture of speaking Igbo Language, expressing satisfaction with the turn out of the event.

 

Appreciating the organizers, the top three Oluebube Ogbonna, Chukwuma Oruche and Godswill Okeke thanked God for the victory while advising young people not to shy away from speaking Igbo Language in public places, stating that Igbo Language will gain relevance when original speakers identify with it.

the contest featured side attractions, presentation of cash to the winners and Merit Certificate to the participants.