NKST College, Makar, has emerged as the champion of the 6th Edition of the Tiv Spelling Bee Competition (Gesa U Sangen ABAACA).
The competition, the sixth in the series, is organised by the Tiv People Worldwide Advancement Foundation (TPWAF) and was held at Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Gboko, on June 27. Nine Basic schools competed for the highest honours, with NKST College Mkar retaining the top spot after coming top at the 5th edition.
Mr Craig Ukeyima, TPWAF Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, says the 6th edition “marks a renewed commitment to strengthening Tiv language interest and heritage preservation among the next generation.”
According to the BoT Chairman, after five impactful years, the Tiv Spelling Bee has become more than a competition. He explained that it has become a cultural movement aimed at further increasing interest in the Tiv language, promoting cultural values, and consolidating community engagement for the preservation of Tiv heritage.
Speaking on the theme “Celebrating Tiv Heritage through Language,” the Guest Speaker Pastor Amos Atindiga, urged young Tiv people to shun acts such as begging for alms, crime, laziness, disrespect for elders, and other acts that are against the Tiv way of life and be proud of their identity.
According to Pastor Atindiga, knowledge acquisition and mastery of other languages cannot change one’s identity, noting that Tiv is the most “sweet” and profound of the distinct languages.
He blamed the lack of interest in the Tiv language these days on poor leadership and the later days of anti-Tiv behaviour that became noticeable in the land.
Pastor Atindiga commended TPWAF for putting together the event and is optimistic that their efforts are significant for the Tiv people to begin the journey of recalibrating their behaviour.
On her part, Mimi Addingi, Secretary BoT TPWAF, said the foundation would continue to evolve in ways that would rejuvenate the Tiv society. She commended the participating schools and those who supported the foundation for the realisation of its 6th edition of the Spelling Bee Competition.
Bristow Secondary School, Gboko, came second, while Notre Dame Girls Secondary School, Mkar, came third.
On individual honours, Chikive Aôndolumun of NKST College Mkar emerged as the overall best winner and the overall best male winner, while Destiny Gbegba of Kings Comprehensive College Mkar came second and the overall best female winner, with Aondonguher Isaac of WM Bristow Secondary School Gboko coming third on the list of individual honours.
