The Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Dr Seyi Jakande, has called on Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to replicate Lagos State's Spelling Bee initiative at the federal level by introducing a competition that would allow outstanding pupils and students to become a ceremonial one-day President of Nigeria.

Dr Jakande made the call on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, while speaking with journalists at the 2026 Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Spelling Bee Competition held at the council secretariat.

The council chairman described the Spelling Bee initiative as an impactful educational programme that has continued to motivate pupils and students to pursue academic excellence through healthy competition.

He noted that the programme, initiated through Senator Oluremi Tinubu's New Era Foundation during her tenure as First Lady of Lagos State, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was governor, has created a unique platform to recognise and reward academic brilliance among young people.

According to Jakande, the opportunity for the overall winner to serve as the ceremonial one-day governor of Lagos State has become a major source of inspiration for students, encouraging them to take their studies seriously and strive for greater achievements.

He urged the First Lady to extend the initiative nationwide, with participants drawn from public primary and secondary schools across the country's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

"She can replicate the initiative at the federal level by introducing a programme that will allow the winner to become a one-day ceremonial President of Nigeria. This will go a long way in impacting education in our country," he said.

The Spelling Bee competition has become an established annual educational programme in Lagos State, providing a platform for talented pupils and students to demonstrate their spelling abilities, vocabulary knowledge and confidence.

The competition begins at the local council level across the state's 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas, where participating schools compete to select representatives for the state grand finale.

Beyond the recognition and prizes awarded to outstanding participants, the initiative offers students an opportunity to develop their academic abilities and aspire to leadership positions.

At the 2026 Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye edition, pupils and students from participating schools went through several rounds of spelling challenges in the primary and secondary school categories.

At the end of the competition, Master Odum Adeboye Enoch of Ilupeju Nursery and Primary School emerged as the winner in the primary school category, while Aina Heritage of Ransom Kuti Secondary School clinched the top position in the secondary school category.

The winners and other outstanding participants were presented with gifts in recognition of their performances.

Speaking after the competition, the winners expressed their determination to improve their vocabulary, learn the meanings of words and prepare more rigorously for future contests. They also pledged to work hard to make our community proud. 

Addressing the participants, Jakande congratulated the winners and encouraged those who did not emerge victorious to remain focused on their academic pursuits.

He reminded them that participation in the competition was itself an achievement, urging them not to regard their inability to win as a failure.

The chairman encouraged all participants to cultivate the habit of reading, expand their vocabulary and continue improving their knowledge, expressing confidence that they could perform better in subsequent editions.

He also charged the winners to intensify their preparations ahead of the next stages of the competition, stressing the importance of hard work and dedication in bringing honour to their schools and community.

Earlier, the address of the council chairperson, who was unavoidably absent, was delivered by Mrs Adebimpe Jakande, the Council Manager, Mrs Mojisola Ogabi, who highlighted the administration's efforts to improve education and support pupils across Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA.

The address referenced initiatives ranging from the Jako Jollof programme to the recent distribution of free back-to-school kits, reaffirming the administration's commitment to creating a supportive learning environment for children.

The chairperson also wished the participants success in their academic journeys, encouraging them to remain disciplined, determined and committed to their studies.

Among the dignitaries present at the event were the Vice Chairman, Elder Gbeminiyi Awodogan; Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Mujeeb Daramola; Council Treasurer, Mr Mujitabah Rufai; Supervisor for Education, Hon. Abayomi Macaulay; Head of Education, Mrs Yemisi Osoba; Education Secretary, Mr Olokodana Yusif; Community Development Committee representative, Alhaji Sulaimon Dabiri; Christian Association of Nigeria representative, Rev. Olaiya David; and the quiz mistress, Osineye Opeyemi.

Councillors and aides to the council chairman were also in attendance.