PRESS RELEASE
Lagos State Spelling Bee Winner Hails Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Seeks more Support for Education and Student Welfare
…as First Lady, other top govt officials host One Day Governor, cabinet members
The One-Day Governor of Lagos State and winner of the 21st Edition of the Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition, Miss Esther Etiyemonu, on Monday, commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his administration’s transformative achievements across key sectors of the State, particularly in education, transportation, security, and infrastructure.
Speaking on Monday when the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, hosted her in Marina, the One-Day Governor noted significant improvements in the State’s transportation infrastructure, in different parts of the State which she said, have enhanced mobility and accessibility.
The One-Day Governor who was hosted by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat on behalf of the First Lady, applauded the administration’s investments in education, citing the recruitment of teachers, establishment of technical colleges, digital skills training, upgrading of tertiary institutions, staff housing development, and renovation of public secondary school libraries.
During her address, the One-Day Governor made a passionate appeal for the provision of a school bus for Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbokuta, noting that the school’s location on the outskirts of Imota makes transportation to academic competitions and official engagements challenging for students. She also sought the Governor’s consideration for suitable accommodation for her parent within the State.
She expressed appreciation to her school, Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbokuta, the Principal, Mrs. Olusola Ajayi, and the teaching staff, as well as her English Language teachers, coaches, mentors, and fellow Spelling Bee contestants for their support and dedication.
The deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat who was in attendance during the evening dinner hosted by his wife , Mrs. Hamzat on behalf of the First Lady, urged the students to become changemakers and influencers of thoughts.
He also recommended the book “The Man in the Arena” to the students, while advising them to shun all societal vices capable of truncating their academic journey.
Responding, Mrs. Hamzat encouraged the students to maintain exemplary behaviour, remain disciplined and stay focused on their academic pursuits.
She cautioned them against negative influences, particularly on social media, and reminded them of their roles as ambassadors of Lagos State and role models to their peers.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for sustaining the Spelling Bee initiative, describing it as a laudable programme that continues to positively shape the lives of young Nigerians.
During the visit of the One Day Governor and her team to the Lagos State Judiciary, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, expressed appreciation to parents for complementing the efforts of teachers through proper guidance and support at home, noting that effective education is a shared responsibility.
He observed that the values, discipline, and academic habits reinforced by parents outside the classroom significantly enhance the work of teachers and contribute to the overall success of learners.
Justice Alogba emphasized that teachers deserve the best treatment and recognition in society, describing them as the foundation of all professions.
He noted that every outstanding personality and dignitary present at the event, including the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, was once nurtured and taught by teachers. According to him, the role of teachers in shaping minds and character cannot be overemphasized and must be continuously respected and supported.
The Chief Judge further admonished parents to desist from encouraging their wards to seek shortcuts in their academic pursuits.
He cautioned against enrolling children in so-called “special centres” that promote examination malpractices, stressing that such practices undermine integrity, hard work, and the future of the students.
The Head of Service of Lagos State, Mr. Olabode Agoro, during the tour of the One Day Governor and her team , received them in his office on Monday, and congratulated the One-Day Governor for emerging as the winner of the 21st Edition of the Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition, noting that the achievement reflects exceptional discipline, dedication, intelligence, and perseverance.
According to the Head of Service, spelling and literacy form the foundation for learning, effective communication, and leadership, stressing that academic competitions such as the Spelling Bee play a critical role in sharpening young minds and building confidence among students.
Mr. Agoro emphasized that investing in young people is a direct investment in the future leadership, innovation, and prosperity of the State and the nation at large, while encouraging students to cultivate habits of continuous learning, reading, and critical thinking.
The Head of Service encouraged the One-Day Governor to see the achievement as the beginning of a greater journey, urging her to remain humble, focused, disciplined, and committed to excellence. He reminded the young leader that true leadership is rooted in service, integrity, and responsibility.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun who also played host to the One Day Governor and her team members in his office , described the annual celebration as a historic moment for the Ministry.
He advised the One Day Governor and her team members , to be good ambassadors of their schools, families and communities, saying that the future is bright for dedicated and studious students who remain focused.
“As a State, we are to nurture future leader and build characters. In the same vein, our parents must also not relent in playing their roles, they must continue to model and mirror god conduct and mentor their children in the right ways to portray good values”, the Commissioner stated.
He enlightened the One Day Governor on the various giant strides of the present administration in the education sector citing the impressive participation of school pupils in both local and international competitions , recruitment of more teachers, among others, stressing the importance of being armed with the right information in order to educate others
and be ambassadors of good works of the state government.
Alli-Balogun , commended Office of Education Quality Assurance for organizing the annual event which has continued to nurture academic excellence, self-confidence, and leadership among young people in Lagos State since its inception in 2001.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, commended parents, teachers, school administrators, Spelling Bee organizers, sponsors, and other stakeholders for their dedication to nurturing talent and supporting youth development initiatives.
She explained that the One-Day Governor initiative was designed to expose young people to governance, leadership, and public service, adding that the experience serves as an inspiration for students to aspire to excellence, responsibility, and active civic engagement from an early age.
The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mr Sanni Omotayo Layemo, expressed delight in the performance of the students and assured that the leadership of the District, particularly , principals and teachers, remain committed to the development of the students .
He encouraged the students, especially the One Day Governor and her cabinet members not to relent in their future aspirations as they have expressed determination to be professionals of repute in different fields.
The Director-General of OEQA , Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, acknowledged the hard-work put into the competition by the students before emerging winners, recalling that the competition was keenly contested and showed how resolute the winners were.
Speaking during the tour to different top government offices which started with an evening dinner hosted by the wife of the deputy Governor on Sunday 8th, February , Dr. Ogunmuyiwa Recalled the journey to the offices of different top government officials , describing the experience as eye-opening for the students.
He congratulated the winners of the One Day Governor for attaining the feat and encouraged other students to draw inspiration from her by rededicating their selves to their academics, assuring them that they stand chances of bigger recognitions and celebrations in the future.
Dr. Ogunmuyiwa expressed pride in the One-Day Governor’s achievement and optimism that the experience would inspire a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and academic excellence.
He also used the occasion to motivate other students across Lagos State to embrace learning, academic competitions, and positive challenges, noting that excellence is achievable through hard work, consistency, and belief in oneself.
The Sunday evening dinner was attended by other notable guests, including Commissioner 3 at the Teaching Service Commission, Hon. Segun Agbaje, and the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Mrs Kehinde Ogunlana, the Director of Private Education and Special ol Programmes and Mr Hakkem Agbabiaka, the Director Special Programmes and Intervention Unit.
During the visit, laptops were presented to the winners to support their educational development. The visit concluded with photo sessions, warm interactions and well wishes from senior officials, marking a memorable experience for the students.
The Lagos State Spelling Bee, an educational initiative established in 2001 by Senator Oluremi Tinubu through the New Era Foundation (NEF), continues to promote literacy, self-confidence and academic excellence among pupils and students in public primary and secondary schools across the state.
The competition, which spans all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), has grown into one of the state’s most impactful academic programmes.
The winner, Miss Etiyemonu Esther, was accompanied by her colleagues, including the One-Day Deputy Governor, Miss Awoyemi Dorcas, and the One-Day Secretary to the State Government, Miss Salami Jumai.
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Adepeju Adeyemi
Deputy Director, Public Affairs
10-02- 2026
