16-year-old Anambra student wins Igbo Spelling Bee competition

Miss Chioma Nziwu, a 16-year-old student from Anambra, emerged as the winner of the second edition of the Igbo Spelling Bee competition, known as ‘Oka Nsupe Igbo.’

The competition tested candidates in three areas of the Igbo language, with Chioma Nziwu securing the top position.

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The competition featured 15 secondary schools from across Anambra, with three schools reaching the final stage. The judges were Igbo language scholars from universities and experienced teachers.

Mr. Chinedu Aniagboso, the Director of the Program, highlighted the importance of initiatives like Oka Nsupe Igbo in preserving indigenous languages, such as Igbo, to prevent their extinction. He noted the increased interest in Igbo language among teachers and students since the first edition in May the previous year. Prof. Olusegun Sogbesan, the Director General of Onitsha Business School, called for support from traditional institutions, schools, and businesses to promote and sustain the program.

He emphasized the need to reintroduce lost words and develop new ones to enable fluent communication in the Igbo language without the infusion of foreign words. He commended the schools that participated and encouraged others to take part in future editions of the competition.