Ekiti gov awards scholarship to 14-year-old World Spelling Bee champion

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has awarded a full scholarship to 14-year-old Damilola Adeolu, an SSS1 student who recently won two gold medals at the World Spelling Bee Championship held in Shanghai, China.

Damilola, a student of St Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, represented Africa at the world championship after emerging winner of the National and African Spelling Bee Championships earlier in the year.

Governor Oyebanji hailed the youngster for her outstanding performances at the national, African and world Spelling Bee competitions when he received her, her parents, Rev. and Mrs Adeolu, her coach and the proprietor of her school, Elder Lawrence Oluwafemi, at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti.

In addition to the scholarship, Governor Oyebanji approved monthly allowances for Damilola’s upkeep and learning materials, stressing that the state government would take a greater interest in her future beyond celebrating the laurels she had won.

Oyebanji described Damilola’s achievement as a proud moment for Ekiti, Nigeria and Africa, noting that her accomplishments would inspire other students to strive to be among the best.

He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting Ekiti youths to compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world and providing platforms for them to showcase their God-given talents.

The governor said, “You have made us extremely proud. You have conquered the world, but you need to conquer the future. The future is ahead of you.”

To secure her future, the governor announced that the state government would cover all of Damilola’s educational expenses from SS2 through secondary school and university.

He added that the scholarship would be “all-embracing” and would also cover monthly welfare support and the provision of learning materials, including books, computers and other educational needs.

“I have just discussed with the Commissioner for Education. From now until she finishes secondary school, the government will pay. When she gets to university, we will sit down and work that out with you,” the governor said.

The governor also promised to facilitate a meeting between Damilola and the Minister of Education, as well as the Office of the Wife of the President, stressing that her achievements should be celebrated beyond the state level.

To celebrate the achievement, the governor announced cash rewards of N2 million for Damilola, N2 million for her school and N1 million for her coach.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the event, the proprietor of the school, Lawrence Oluwafemi, explained how Damilola emerged as world champion, saying she first conquered Nigeria before representing the country at the African championship, where she also emerged victorious.

He thanked the Ekiti State Government for sponsoring their trip to Shanghai, China, to represent Africa, noting that the journey would not have been possible without the support.

Also speaking, Damilola described her experience as “amazing” and “wonderful”. She thanked Governor Oyebanji for the support she received and promised to continue making the state proud.

She also encouraged other young people to keep believing in themselves and to be proud of who they are, expressing confidence that they would eventually succeed and make the state and the country proud.