On Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, the atmosphere at SLGEA NUT COOP Hall, Makun, was charged with excitement, intellect, and celebration as Friends of Ronzls Foundation hosted the Grand Finale of its highly anticipated Annual Quiz and Spelling Bee Competition 5.0, proudly tagged “Remo Ultimate Intellectual Showdown”.

The event brought together the brightest young minds from across Remo in a contest that tested not only their academic knowledge but also their composure and confidence. Participants from various primary schools who had excelled in the preliminaries held across six zones gathered for the final showdown, supported by their schools, teachers, parents, and guardians.

A Grand Opening with Distinguished Guests

The day began with a warm and heartfelt welcome address by Chief Mrs. Oladapo Ilori-Sulaimon, Founder of Friends of Ronzls Foundation. She acknowledged the presence of dignitaries, special guests of honour, headteachers, teachers, parents, guardians, and most importantly, the brilliant learners who had earned their place in the finale. Her speech set the tone for the day—a celebration of excellence, learning, and the bright future of our children.

The event was further elevated by the royal presence of HRH Alayeluwa Oba Musiliu Oriyomi Soile, Osiderumu I, the Radanuwa of Idado, Sagamu and the Royal Father, Friends of Ronzls Foundation. His Royal Highness not only graced the occasion with his presence but also delivered an inspiring address. He commended the young contestants for their hard work and dedication and urged them to continue prioritizing their education, as it remains the key to a successful and impactful future.

Another highlight was the Keynote Speech delivered by Mrs. Kehinde Olasunkanmi Anifowose, Director of the School of Services at the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board. She spoke passionately about the importance of foundational education, encouraging the learners to remain curious, diligent, and disciplined in their academic pursuits.

The Grand Competition Unfolds

The competition itself was a brilliant display of knowledge and courage. It featured two major segments:

• The Quiz Segment, which challenged the contestants in Mathematics, English Language, Science, General Knowledge, and ICT.

• The Spelling Bee, which tested the students’ vocabulary, and ability to spell complex words under pressure.

The finalists, who had all triumphed in earlier stages, included:

• Onabawo Sarah – Christ Church School, Oderemo

• Fatai Temitope – Ansar-Ur Deen Primary School, Isara

• Bankole Ruth – Local Government School, Makun

• Ademodupe Ponmile – Wesley Primary School, Ojumele

• Philip Precious – Local Government School II, Sabo

• Alagbala Abdulammed – UAMC Primary School, Eleja

• Bello Boluwatife – Wesley School II, Oko

• Hassan Daniel – Ansar-Ur Deen, Isale-Oko

• Daud Jamaldeen – St Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Simawa

• Matthew Veronica – African Church Primary School, Ewu-Oloja

• Valentine King – St Francis School, Igbosoro

• Oyedele Samuel – St Michael R.C.M Primary School

Each of these young champions exhibited poise and intelligence throughout the competition, drawing rounds of applause from the captivated audience.

Recognition and Rewards

To honour every student’s hard work, prizes were presented to all participants from the preliminary rounds, ensuring that every child left the event feeling celebrated. Special recognition and prizes were also given to learners who achieved perfect scores in the preliminaries’ Spelling Bee segment.

As the grand finale came to a close, the moment everyone was waiting for arrived: the announcement of the top three winners.

• 🥉 Third Place: Bankole Ruth, Local Government School, Makun

• 🥈 Second Place: Alagbala Abdulammed, UAMC Primary School, Eleja

• 🥇 First Place: Matthew Veronica, African Church Primary School, Ewu-Oloja

These winners were awarded special prizes in recognition of their outstanding performance and excellence.

From the twelfth to the fourth position, each finalist received a prize as a testament to their remarkable journey through the competition.

Encouragement for the Future

In closing, the Education Secretary of Sagamu addressed the learners, emphasizing the power of education in shaping their future. She encouraged them to stay focused, remain disciplined, and continue striving for excellence in their academics and beyond.