Lagos Mbse, Oeqa Host One-Day Governor

In a heartwarming display of commitment to youth development and academic excellence, the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, on Monday hosted Miss Esther Etiyemonu, the overall winner of the 21st Edition of the Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition and her team at the Ministry’s headquarters in the Secretariat, Alausa.

The young scholar, a student of Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbokuta, who served as the One-Day Governor of Lagos State, was accompanied by her cabinet members, including One-Day Deputy Governor Miss Awoyemi Dorcas and One-Day Secretary to the State Government Miss Salami Jumai.

Describing the annual Spelling Bee as a cherished legacy of the Ministry, Commissioner Alli-Balogun urged the young ambassador and her team to remain good representatives of their schools, families, and communities. He stressed that the future belongs to dedicated and focused students.

“As a State, we are to nurture future leaders and build character. In the same vein, our parents must also not relent in playing their roles; they must continue to model and mirror godly conduct and mentor their children in the right ways to portray good values,” the Commissioner stated during the warm reception.

Alli-Balogun seized the opportunity to brief the One-Day Governor on the giant strides of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in the education sector. He highlighted increased participation of Lagos pupils in local and international competitions, massive recruitment of teachers, and other transformative initiatives. He encouraged the students to arm themselves with accurate information so they can effectively serve as ambassadors of the government’s good works.

The Commissioner specially commended the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) for sustaining the Spelling Bee programme since its inception in 2001, noting that it has consistently nurtured academic excellence, self-confidence, and leadership skills among young Lagosians.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, praised parents, teachers, school administrators, organisers, sponsors, and all stakeholders for their unwavering support towards youth development.

She explained that the One-Day Governor initiative is intentionally designed to expose young people to governance, leadership, and public service, inspiring them to embrace excellence, responsibility, and active civic engagement from an early age.

The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District II, Mr. Sanni Omotayo Layemo, expressed delight at the students’ outstanding performance. He assured them of the district’s commitment through principals and teachers to their overall development and urged the One-Day Governor and her cabinet not to relent in their aspirations to become professionals of repute.

Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director-General of the OEQA, acknowledged the intense competition and the winners’ resilience and hard work. He described the students’ tour of top government offices — which began with an evening dinner hosted by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, on Sunday, February 8, 2026 — as an eye-opening experience.

“Laptops were presented to the winners to support their educational journey,” Dr. Ogunmuyiwa revealed, while congratulating Miss Etiyemonu and encouraging other students across the state to draw inspiration from her success. He expressed confidence that the experience would ignite a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and academic excellence.

The Spelling Bee, established in 2001 by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (now Nigeria’s First Lady) through her New Era Foundation, remains one of Lagos State’s most impactful educational programmes. It reaches pupils and students in public primary and secondary schools across all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, promoting literacy, confidence, and healthy academic rivalry.

The high-profile visit ended with photo sessions, warm interactions, and words of encouragement from senior officials, including the Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Victoria Mopelola Peregrino, and other top stakeholders.

Miss Esther Etiyemonu’s remarkable achievement continues to inspire thousands of Lagos students, proving that with focus, hard work, and the right support, every child in the Centre of Excellence can soar to great heights.