Jemimah Marcus, A 16-Year-old Pupil Becomes Lagos State One-day Governor

A 16-year old student of Angus Memorial Senior High School, Jemimah Marcus, has emerged as the winner of the Y2020 Lagos State Spelling Bee competition at the grand finale held on Tuesday at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, after a tense final competition with six other students. 

The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, who was visibly pleased with the participants and winners, commended the brilliant performance of all participating students and schools.

She added that the high level of performance from the students underscores the fact that the State Government is committed to the delivery of quality education geared towards improving teaching and learning in Lagos public schools.

On her part, the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni expressed appreciation to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for keeping faith with the competition.

She stated further that the Office of Education Quality Assurance will continue to drive measures to improve the standards and academic excellence in both private and public schools in line with global best practices.

Mrs. Seriki-Ayeni applauded the parents and teachers for giving the students the opportunity to achieve all-round quality education, imploring the participants to continue to imbibe good morals that will help them achieve higher goals in life.  

The Special Guest of Honour, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs. Funso Raji, disclosed that the competition, which has become a household name in Nigeria, has put Lagos State at the forefront of quality education delivery.

While extolling the efforts of the winners, as well as all participants in the annual completion, the Lagos State First Lady encouraged the students not to rest on their oars but strive to achieve greater heights. 

Apart from having the opportunity of being the Lagos One Day Governor, Miss Marcus was presented with a cash gift of N250, 000, while the first runner up, Master Sotin Ajose of Topo Senior Grammar School, Badagry, got the sum of N150, 000 and the second runner up, Miss Rhema Edeh from Denton Junior Grammar School, Ebutta Metta received a cash gift of N100, 000.