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Nigeria to host 7th African Spelling Bee April 9
Nigeria is set to host the 7th African Spelling Bee (ASB) from April 9 to 13, marking the first time the prestigious competition will be held in a West African nation.
National Coordinator of the Nigeria Spelling Bee, Mr Abdulsalam Ibrahim, announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
Established in 2016, the ASB has previously been hosted by South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi.
The Nigeria Spelling Bee, operating under the Bee Spelling Competition Initiative, serves as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for this year’s event.
Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education, the organisation conducts spelling competitions across all Nigerian states and represents the country in international contests, including the ASB.
According to Ibrahim, the African Spelling Bee was founded with the vision of celebrating the African child, inspiring literacy, and creating a platform for connection and confidence-building among young learners.
He stated that the competition aims to enhance literacy and academic excellence while cultivating a strong reading culture.
The national coordinator noted that the competition also seeks to develop self-esteem and interpersonal skills while building human capital through capacity development.
He said it also aims to promote community-based partnerships and celebrate the cultural diversity and unity of African children.
He noted that this year’s event will bring together the top National Spelling Bee Champions from over 20 African countries.
They include; Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“The ASB embodies the spirit of Pan-Africanism by uniting young people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate linguistic prowess and cultural heritage.
“Through spelling competitions, African general knowledge quizzes, and cultural exchanges, the event fosters unity and mutual respect among participants, nurturing a generation poised to lead and transform the continent”.
Ibrahim highlighted Nigeria’s strong track record in the ASB, having secured multiple championship titles in previous editions.
He also noted that Nigerian spellers are preparing to defend the Senior Championship title won by Praises Minabowa in the last African Spelling Bee, reflecting the nation’s commitment to educational excellence and youth development.
“The upcoming event in Abuja is expected to be the largest yet, with more than 20 African countries anticipated to participate, each presenting their top six champions vying for the coveted title of African Spelling Bee Champion in both the senior and junior categories.
“Beyond being a competition, the event will be a celebration of Africa’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage, reflecting the continent’s dedication to fostering education, unity, and excellence among its youth,” Ibrahim said. (NAN)
Gvernor Chukwuma Soludo threw a challenge to opposition parties in Anambra State on Monday, saying he sees no competent challenger as he seeks re-election in the November 8, 2025 governorship poll.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said there is a consensus among Ndi Anambra (the people of the state) that his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has delivered dividends of democracy and should be given another chance in the next election.
Soludo, during a media chat to celebrate his third anniversary, said the people of the South-East state can vote for any party during national elections but are loyal to APGA when it comes to governorship and local government chairmen seats.
He said, “If there is an election, I mean there will be an election, and if I am candidate, I will be on the ballot, and then I ask: who else is running? Which party is fielding a candidate?
“So far, unless the person will come down from somewhere but so far, I have not heard of any.”
The former bank chief said he has gotten calls to run for a second term but his party would take the decision on who becomes the flag bearer.
“The party has to agree to it and give me the platform. For me, I applied for this job intentionally because I felt that’s my way of thanking God for His bountiful blessing to spend the rest of my life to serve, and leave this place better than we met it.
“If my party nominates me and if my employers who are the Anambra people to whom I had applied for this job interview me and graciously renew the tenure, of course, it’s a great honour, and a great privilege to serve,” he said.
Anambra is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgments. Others are Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has announced revoking 4,794 land titles for failure to pay Ground Rent for more than four decades.
In a briefing, it was revealed that property owners in key districts, including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, have not settled their Ground Rent bills for an average of 43 years, with a total of 8,375 property owners in breach of their obligations.
During the media briefing, the minister’s senior special assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, provided further details.
“The FCTA has repeatedly warned defaulters through publications in national newspapers and broadcasts since 2023, urging them to clear their outstanding Ground Rent. Unfortunately, the response has been minimal, and many property owners have failed to comply,” stated Olayinka.
He emphasised that Ground Rent payments are mandated by existing legislation and are required under the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy. I just wanted to let you know that payment is due on January 1 each year without needing reminders.
“A comprehensive list of land titles in arrears has been compiled for ten of the oldest districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC): Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zones A05 and A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zones A07 and A08), and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).
“As of the end of 2024, the total outstanding Ground Rent is N6,967,980,119 owed by 8,375 property owners. Among these, 4,794 land titles have not been paid for more than ten years, violating the stipulations of the Rights of Occupancy outlined in Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
“As a result, the titles of properties with over ten years of unpaid Ground Rent will be revoked immediately. Additionally, a grace period of 21 days is being granted to title holders who owe Ground Rent for periods of one to ten years, after which their titles will also be revoked,” he said.
The Senator who represented Kaduna Central (2015-2019), Shehu Sani, has challenged the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, to publicly provide evidence that Governor Uba Sani misappropriated funds from Local Government Councils.
In an interview over the weekend, Shehu Sani, a civil rights activist, responded to the allegations of fund diversion made against his successor. Speaking with DAILY POST on Monday in Abuja, Sani refuted the claims, asserting that they were unfounded.
He stated that El-Rufai’s allegations were “fabricated to tarnish the reputation of the Governor, especially with the ongoing investigation involving N420 billion looming over him like the sword of Damocles.”
Sani urged the former Governor to publicly disclose proof of any property purchases in South Africa, Seychelles, and London allegedly made by Uba Sani if he wishes to be taken seriously.
He remarked that the people of Kaduna would not soon forget how Nasir El-Rufai mismanaged the State during his eight years in office, emphasising that he should cease spreading falsehoods.
“As residents of Kaduna, we have all witnessed how El-Rufai misappropriated State resources, and now that investigations have implicated him, he should confront the issue rather than disseminate misinformation,” Sani asserted.
“El-Rufai should have the courage to present evidence linking Governor Uba Sani to the purchase of properties abroad; only then will we take him seriously.
“However, he must also be prepared to account for the whereabouts of N420 billion, as that sum is significant enough to transform Kaduna State,” Sani concluded.
Sani’s comments come in response to El-Rufai’s accusations that Governor Uba Sani has redirected Local Government funds for the purpose of acquiring properties in South Africa, Seychelles, and London.