The 2011 edition of the Spelling Bee competition for schools in Lagos State was keenly contested by 57 participants. In the end, 17-year old Akpakpan Iniodu Jones, a student of Baptist Senior School, Obanikoro emerged winner after spelling the winning words, ‘Jekyll and Hyde’.

Kayode Ikumelo of Iganmu Senior High School, Iganmu came second while John Okorie of Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja, came third.

For coming first, Master Iniodu was declared the 2011 One Day Governor with a cash prize of N200,000 and a trophy. As first runner-up, Master Ikumelo went home with  a N150,000 cash prize and a trophy while Master Okorie was the proud winner of N100,000 and a trophy.

The Spelling Bee competition is organised annually by the Lagos State Ministry of Education and New Era Foundation to test students’ mastery of English words with a view to enhancing their verbal proficiency.

Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, Chairman Board of Trustees of New Era Foundation in his remarks at the finals, urged the winners to be up and doing as they journey through their academic pursuits. He saluted their courage and brilliant display during the competition.

It is worthy of note that past winners of the competition which was initiated by the New Era Foundation in 2001 are doing very well in their academics and various professions.

In the primary school category, 10-year-old Emeka Anyanwu of Baruwa Primary School, Ijeshatedo, spelt the word: “Cyber Space”, to emerge the winner for the 2011 competition while Yetunde Sobowale who was the last girl standing from Baptist Primary School, Somolu and Victor Olaoye of Amikanle Primary School, Agbado, Oke-Odo clinched the second and third positions respectively. They were rewarded with cash prizes of N150,000, N100,000 and N50,000 respectively and trophies.