Kwara gov hails pupils’ performance at Zimbabwe Spelling Bee

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commended two pupils from the state for their outstanding performance at a spelling bee competition held in Harare, Zimbabwe, where they represented Nigeria and secured a silver medal.

The governor conveyed his congratulatory message in a Facebook post on Friday, celebrating the achievements of Yusuf Abdurrahman Oreoluwa and Yusuf Maryam, both of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, for their academic excellence on the international stage.

“I heartily congratulate two Kwara pupils — Yusuf Abdurrahman Oreoluwa and Yusuf Maryam of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin — on their excellent performance at a spelling bee competition in Harare, Zimbabwe,” the governor said.

“Along with Adeolu Oluwadamilola Oreofe, an indigene of Ekiti State, the Kwara duo represented Nigeria at the competition where our country won the silver medal,” he added.

AbdulRazaq further disclosed that the pupils’ performance has earned them qualification to represent Nigeria at a global competition scheduled to take place in China in the coming months.

“The Harare feat has now qualified these wonderful children to represent our country on the global stage in China in the coming months,” he said.

Describing the achievement as worthy of celebration, the governor praised the pupils for being worthy ambassadors of the state and contributing to its growing reputation for academic excellence.

“This is clearly something to celebrate, and I convey our congratulations to Oreoluwa and Maryam.

“I thank them for being good ambassadors of our state, joining the esteemed league of Kwara schoolchildren who have had the world at their feet at various national and international competitions,” he stated.

“I also congratulate their parents and Ar-Raheem College for this milestone in the lives of these children. They should keep it up,” he added.

AbdulRazaq linked the achievement to his administration’s sustained investment in the education sector, emphasising its importance in societal development.

“These feats align with our unrelenting investments in qualitative and accessible education, which is the foundation for any enduring civilisation.

“It is also a sweet fruit of the strategic partnership between government and different stakeholders,” he said.

The spelling bee competition, which drew participants from different countries, is an academic contest designed to test students’ mastery of English vocabulary, pronunciation and spelling under competitive conditions, often progressing through multiple rounds until a winner emerges.