African Spelling Bee: Madonna International Schools To Represent Nigeria In Zimbabwe

By Christopher Odamah, Asaba

Madonna International Schools Asaba has achieved a remarkable milestone by being selected to represent Nigeria at the upcoming National Spelling Bee Championship in Zimbabwe.

This prestigious honour solidifies the school’s reputation for academic excellence and highlights its continued commitment to nurturing top-tier intellectual talents.

Speaking to newsmen in Asaba, the School Director; Madonna International School Asaba, Ijomah Obiosa expressed pride in the students and staff, noting: “We are honoured to fly the Nigerian flag at such a respected international event”.

He said, “The event is a National Spelling Bee Competition. At the State qualifier, we were invited to come and represented our School in the National Spelling Bee among other local schools all over Delta State and Master Okediachi Great Chinedu in the Junior category, Master Chukwubuikem Richard Uchendu in the Senior Category qualified to represent Delta State in the National Spelling Bee in Port Harcourt and also came out victorious, which qualifies the School to represent Nigeria in the National Spelling Bee Competition slated for March 2026 in Zimbabwe”.

In his words, “It is a constant trend of winning trophy in Delta State as some of the Students in the State recently went to Qatar to win World Debate Competition Award. This is just a stepping stone for Madonna International Schools Asaba. We are going to Zimbabwe to make Nigerians proud and I am very sure that by the time we’re done in Africa, we will represent the world and come out victorious the Trophy.

“This opportunity is a testament to the hard work of our students and the support of our dedicated teaching staff, which places a strong emphasis on literacy, critical thinking, and competitive learning. We aim to make Nigeria proud,” he added.

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While commending our amiable Governor, His Excellency Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori on the educational system under his watch, saying, “It is certificate upon certificates, award upon awards. The State Governor had never made any mistake when it comes to education and from what I gathered, he had three Commissioners [Technical Education, Basic and Secondary Education & Primary Education] like before when only one Commissioner oversees all Ministries. He is putting more into education, and we are grateful”.

According to him, I will not call it a challenge though financial challenges based on transportation and logistics. We applied to the Ministry of Education, and before paperwork was done, the event date had come by. This journey would not have been completed without the remarkable support of the Delta State Governor, His Excellency Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for the support given to us through Mr. Nicholas Ojei, Special Adviser To the Executive Governor on Special Duties, who sponsored the movement and I am using this medium to thank him for coming to our aid during the National Spelling Bee, promising that we are coming back to Nigeria from Zimbabwe with the Trophy just like those that went to Qatar for the Debate Competition.

One of the winners, Master Okediachi Great Chinedu in the Junior category, said the competition was like a spellable competition. I felt good because they taught me well. It was a talent from childhood. I was taught how to spell well and use the opportunity to be in the competition. I know can do more if given the opportunity to try and if I win, I will be very proud of myself. I believe we will be the most excellent in the country. School is the key to success, and if you don’t go to school, you can not be educated and have the ability to do things properly.

Also speaking, Master Chukwubuikem Richard Uchendu of the Senior Category said “I felt elated representing Nigeria in the National Spelling Bee Competition and knows my reading abilities worthwhile. I believe that when I study well, I will represent Nigeria in international competition. Education is not a scam. If they say education is a scam, why is it that our entertainers, politicians do go to school? Even those that didn’t go to school, maybe after their secondary school to the University and after making money, they will still decide to further their education in order to acquire experience and knowledge. Nigerians should expect an award, and they will be proud of us”.

He reiterated that I will say the educational system in Delta State and Nigeria is improving. I’m proud that students have the opportunity of going to school. Our teachers are doing excellently well. I am recommending Madonna International Schools Asaba is a School every child should go to because they taught us to be morally and spirutally equipped. I am advising the Delta State Government to keep funding education because school is not a scam.