14-Year-Old Oluebeube Ogbonna Triumphs as Winner of Inaugural Igbo Spelling Bee Competition

Anambra State, located in South-East Nigeria, recently witnessed the crowning of a young linguistic prodigy, Oluebeube Ogbonna, who emerged victorious in the first-ever native Igbo spelling bee competition. The remarkable feat saw Oluebeube surpassing 356 other contestants in a display of linguistic prowess and cultural pride.

The Igbo language, native to an ethnic group predominantly residing in the Eastern part of Nigeria, holds a significant cultural and linguistic position in the country. In addition to Igbo, Nigeria boasts a rich tapestry of major ethnic languages, including Hausa and Yoruba, among others.

Oluebeube Ogbonna, a 14-year-old student hailing from Divine Rays British School in Anambra, Nigeria, etched her name in history by clinching the coveted title of the Igbo spelling bee champion. Her journey to victory involved a fierce competition that brought together secondary school students from public and private institutions across the Awka, Nnewi, and Onitsha educational zones.

Participants in the event were evaluated on their spelling prowess, Igbo syllabication, and punctuation skills, all of which were meticulously judged in a competition organized by City Speller Bee in collaboration with Onitsha Business School.

Mr. Chinedu Aniagboso, the Project Manager of the competition, proudly declared this event as Nigeria's pioneering indigenous language spelling bee. The competition's primary aim is to draw the interest and participation of young minds.

"You can see how excited these students are competing in their own language; they not only understand English, they are also proficient in Igbo," Mr. Chinedu Aniagboso remarked, emphasizing the depth of linguistic talent and cultural connection showcased by the participants.

With a vision to transform this event into an annual tradition, Mr. Chinedu extended an invitation to various organizations and bodies to collaborate, nurturing the growth and development of students in their native language.

For her exceptional performance, Oluebeube Ogbonna was awarded a prize of N300,000, marking her triumphant achievement. Following closely in second place was Oruche Chukwuma of St. Paul's Seminary Ukpor, who secured N100,000, while Okeke Godswill of Divine Rays British School Obosi claimed third place, earning a well-deserved N50,000.

Professor Ogochukwu Ifeka, a prominent Igbo Literature scholar at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria, lauded the competition's role in confirming the progress made in reviving the Igbo language. According to Professor Ifeka, this competition represents a significant step towards instilling a renewed interest in native languages among the youth and inspiring them to pursue careers that uphold and celebrate their linguistic heritage.