[Opening Remarks] Distinguished guests, esteemed government functionaries, members of the diplomatic corps, educators, Speller-hopefuls, parents, and members of the media, it is an absolute honor to welcome you to this historic moment in our nation’s educational journey. Today, we stand on the cusp of an incredible milestone as Nigeria officially joins the global family of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, a platform that has, for nearly a century, celebrated the intellect, dedication, and tenacity of young minds across the world.

[Origins and Vision of Young Educators Foundation] The story of how we arrived here today is one of vision, perseverance, and a deep-seated belief in the power of education. It began with the Young Educators Foundation’s unwavering mission to empower young learners by providing them with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. This mission led to the acquisition of the Scripps franchise for Ghana nearly two decades ago, making Ghana the first African nation to participate in this prestigious competition. Over the years, Ghana’s Spellers have demonstrated that Africa’s youth are not only eager to compete but also to excel on the global stage.

[The Journey to Nigeria’s Inclusion] But as we celebrated Ghana’s achievements, a new goal began to take shape—a goal championed by the Convener of this initiative, Eugenia Tachie-Menson. The quest to see Nigeria, with its vast pool of talented young minds, represented in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, became a mission that we could not ignore. This mission was driven by two core beliefs.

First, the need to change the narrative of the African child from one who hungers for food to one who hungers for knowledge. It is imperative that our children are included in global educational programs, as they have as much potential and promise as any other child in the world. Second, we took inspiration from the visionary words of the godfather of Pan-Africanism, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who, on a humid March night, in 1957, after leading the charge of gaining Ghana’s independence, proclaimed that “our independence is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the African continent.” In this context, Ghana’s solo participation in the Scripps Spelling Bee was too narrow a vision to accept. We envisioned a future where more African nations, starting with Nigeria, would stand on the global stage, showcasing the brilliance of our youth.

[The Inaugural Edition of Scripps Spelling Bee USA in Nigeria]We often hear that literacy is the foundation of education, but today, the definition of literacy extends far beyond just the ability to read and write. In our rapidly changing world, comprehension—truly understanding and processing what we read—is critical to the concept of literacy. It is no longer enough to simply decode words on a page; we must also grasp their meaning, context, and the nuanced layers of communication that they carry.

This is where a robust spelling program, such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee, plays an essential role as a co-curricular activity. While traditional curriculum-based learning provides the necessary framework for literacy, spelling programs complement this by deepening students’ understanding of language. Spelling, after all, is not just about memorizing words; it’s about learning the rules and patterns that govern language. This process enhances students’ ability to comprehend complex texts and to communicate their ideas with clarity and precision.

The Scripps Spelling Bee takes this even further by teaching the rudiments of spelling within a broader literacy context. English, as we know, is a language that has borrowed words from at least 13 different languages, each contributing unique elements to its structure. By exposing young learners to the origins and evolution of these words, the Scripps model gives them a richer, more informed understanding of how language works. This exposure not only improves their spelling but also enhances their overall literacy, helping them to see connections between words, meanings, and the diverse cultures from which English has drawn.

In this way, the Scripps Spelling Bee isn’t just a competition—it’s a comprehensive learning experience that equips students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of language and communication in a globalized world. As educators and parents, it is our responsibility to provide such opportunities for our children, ensuring that their literacy skills are not only strong but also deeply rooted in understanding and context.

Today marks the realization of that vision. This maiden edition of the Scripps Spelling Bee USA in Nigeria will unfold in four phases, each meticulously designed to complement curriculum-based learning while imparting invaluable skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. Beyond the academic benefits, this program will also nurture social skills, instilling in our young Spellers a sense of confidence and resilience that will serve them well in all areas of life.

[Acknowledgments and Partnerships] No venture of this magnitude can succeed without the support of dedicated partners. We are deeply grateful to the Office of the Lagos State Governor, Lucid Education Initiative, Rotary International District 9112, and the American Business Council of Nigeria for their unwavering commitment to this cause. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Indomie Noodles, our title sponsor, and Checkers Custard, our co-sponsor, for believing in the power of this program to transform lives.

But the journey has just begun, and there is room for more corporate brands to join us in this noble endeavor. We invite you to partner with us as we work together to create a brighter future for our children.

[Conclusion and Call to Action] Finally, let us remember that this is more than just a competition. It is a celebration of knowledge, a platform for our children to shine, and an opportunity for us all to contribute to their growth and development. The ultimate reward for our Nigerian Spellers is an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they will represent Nigeria in the centenary edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. This is not just a trip; it is an opportunity to stand alongside the brightest young minds from around the world, to learn, to compete, and to bring pride to Nigeria. With Nigeria joining Ghana, we are sending a powerful message: that Africa is here, ready to compete on the global stage…..and Ghana and Nigeria will have a new topic to feed our healthy rivalry besides the now famous jollof wars!

I urge parents, educators, civil society, and all who believe in the power of education to join us in making “Spell It Nigeria” a resounding success—a success that will endure for generations to come. Together, let us ensure that this initiative is one that has truly come to stay. Long live the youth of Nigeria, long live Ghana-Nigeria relations, long live the youth of Africa!

– The Unholy Alliance That Would Have Plunged Ogun into an Abyss”

– The Mirage of Ideology: A Power Grab Disguised as Leadership

In the grand theater of Nigerian politics, alliances are often forged not out of shared ideals but out of expedience. The coalition between Ladi Adebutu and Adekunle Akinlade was a classic case of such convenience—a marriage of strange bedfellows united only by their lust for power.

As the dust of the 2023 election settled, it became glaringly evident that their partnership was devoid of any genuine ideological foundation. Akinlade’s recent outburst, declaring that Ogun State was spared a calamity by Adebutu’s defeat, underscores the hollow nature of their alliance. It is an indictment not just of Adebutu’s leadership but of the entire campaign—a campaign that was more about seizing power than serving the people

The Illusion of Unity: When Convenience Breeds Contempt
Beneath the glittering facade of political ambition often lies a festering rot—a decay of principles, honour, and integrity. This grim reality has been laid bare in the aftermath of Ogun State’s 2023 gubernatorial race, where the once allied forces of Adebutu and Akinlade unraveled in a spectacle of mutual disdain.

Akinlade, the erstwhile deputy governorship candidate under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has unleashed a scathing tirade against his former running mate, Adebutu, painting a picture of a disaster narrowly averted. Had Adebutu triumphed in the election, Akinlade argues, it would have heralded a season of despair for Ogun State—a sentiment that speaks volumes about the crumbling alliance that was, perhaps, doomed from the start.

A House Divided
Akinlade’s condemnation of Adebutu goes beyond mere political rhetoric; it reveals deep-seated animosity and a fundamental lack of trust that had simmered beneath the surface of their public alliance. His comparison of Adebutu to a child trapped in a man’s body—a leader bereft of the mental fortitude and maturity required for governance—lays bare the fractures that have long existed between them. This characterization is more than just an insult; it is a stark admission that their union was never truly cohesive, never truly built on a shared vision for Ogun State. Akinlade’s remarks are not just the sour grapes of a defeated politician—they are the bitter truths of a man who now feels unshackled by the chains of a failed alliance.

The Mirage of Ideology: A Power Grab Disguised as Leadership
What emerges from Akinlade’s diatribe is the revelation that their campaign was a mirage—an illusion of unity masking a void of ideology. In the absence of a coherent philosophy or vision, their joint ticket was nothing more than a vehicle for personal ambition. Akinlade’s declaration that Adebutu’s victory would have spelled disaster for Ogun State is a damning critique of their shared enterprise. It exposes their campaign as one driven by a hunger for power, rather than a genuine desire to uplift the state. The partnership was not rooted in a commitment to the people of Ogun but in a selfish pursuit of political dominance—a pursuit that, had it succeeded, would have left the state in ruins.

The Specter of Calamity: What Might Have Been
Akinlade’s imagery of divine intervention, with an imam’s prayer as the fulcrum that tipped the scales away from an impending disaster, is as poetic as it is ominous. The suggestion that Ogun State narrowly avoided a period of sorrow and backwardness paints a chilling picture of what could have been. It is a stark warning to the electorate of the dangers of electing leaders whose ambitions are not grounded in a sincere commitment to governance. Akinlade’s words serve as a cautionary tale—a reminder that the consequences of such ill-fated alliances can be catastrophic, not just for the politicians involved, but for the entire state they seek to govern.

A Prelude to Disaster: The Incompetence That Never Was
In his scathing assessment, Akinlade portrays Adebutu as a man wholly unfit for the rigors of leadership. His accusation that Adebutu’s father still provides him with a weekly allowance is a metaphorical dagger, cutting to the core of his former running mate’s credibility. This image of a man-child, incapable of managing his own affairs, let alone the complex machinery of state governance, is a brutal takedown of Adebutu’s persona. It suggests that Ogun State was saved not just from poor leadership, but from a catastrophe of incompetence that would have set the state back by years. The notion that Adebutu, despite his advanced age, lacks the maturity and judgment necessary for governance is a potent indictment, one that raises serious questions about the decision-making processes that led to his candidacy in the first place.

The Aftermath: End of a Fraught Alliance
As the political landscape of Ogun State continues to shift in the wake of the 2023 elections, the fallout between Adebutu and Akinlade serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers inherent in political alliances born out of expediency rather than conviction. Akinlade’s blistering critique of his former ally is not just an attack on Adebutu, but on the very nature of their campaign. It is a repudiation of the opportunism that drove their bid for power, and a stark warning to those who would seek to govern without a clear and principled vision.

Subheading: A Cautionary Tale: Lessons for the Electorate
In the final analysis, the saga of Adebutu and Akinlade is a cautionary tale for the electorate—a reminder that not all that glitters is gold. The allure of charismatic leadership and grand promises can often mask deeper flaws—flaws that, if left unchecked, can lead to disastrous consequences. Akinlade’s revelations should serve as a wake-up call to the people of Ogun State and beyond: to look beyond the surface, to question the motivations of those who seek their vote, and to demand leaders who are not just ambitious, but principled and committed to the common good.

The Path Not Taken: A Glimpse into a Dark, Alternative Future
As Ogun State moves forward under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Akinlade’s words hang in the air like a specter—a glimpse into a dark alternative future that, by his account, the state narrowly escaped. The story of Adebutu and Akinlade is not just a tale of political betrayal, but a profound lesson in the perils of leadership unmoored from principle. It is a reminder that in the world of politics, as in life, the choices we make—and the alliances we form—can have far-reaching consequences. And sometimes, as Akinlade so vividly illustrates, the most important victories are the disasters we manage to avoid.

Source: The Capital

The Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora who were arrested by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj subsidy are currently spending their third day in the EFCC’s detection centre.

The duo were on Wednesday arrested by the operatives of the anti-graft agency which said, “A total of SR314,098 was recovered,” from the NAHCON chairman and other ranking officials.

The EFCC said its investigation revealed that from the N90bn Hajj subsidy, Arabi, fraudulently overpaid himself and others the necessary operational cost.

The approved 2024 Hajj operational cost for the Chairman/CEO
Commissioners, Secretary and Directors/Chief of Staff in the 2024 budget are stipulated as $4,250, $12,750, $3,825 and $15,300, respectively.

The EFCC, however, alleged that: “The chairman fraudulently overpaid himself, the commissioners, secretary and directors for the 2024 hajj operational cost.

“The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but he got SR50,000; three commissioners who were meant to get SR 15,929 each received SR 40,000 each. The secretary got SR 30,000 instead of SR14,336. Directors/Chief of Staff received SR 30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to.

The total of
SR314,098 were recovered from all of them.”

It would be recalled that the EFCC quizzed Arabi on July 29 and released him on bail.

Also, last week Wednesday, some top officials of the Hajj commission were arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged mismanagement or diversion of the N90bn subsidy.

A document revealed that SR 8,614,175.27 cash withdrawal out of the N90bn released by the Federal Government to the commission is yet to be accounted for by NAHCON.

The document partly read, “The sum of N90bn was released by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the National Hajj Commission to subsidise the 2024 Hajj Operations by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The total sum of N1, 764,705,937.62 was deducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria as bank charges.

“The sum of N88, 235,294,063.72 was subsequently converted into United States dollars at the rate of N1,416.13, which amounted to USD 62,307,164.48 and thereafter transferred into NAHCON British SAAB Account in Saudi Arabia.

“The sum of USD 62,307,164.48 was converted to Saudi Riyal at the rate of N3,748, which amounted to the sum of SR 233,527,252.47.

“That the opening balance of the IBAN-E track for 2024 Hajj activities was SR 19,813,810.89 and has an inflow of SR 485,000,000.00 from NAHCON with a closing balance of SR 78,985,266.03.

“That the closing balance is inclusive of the SR20,637,908.23 refunded from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia.

“That the total sum of SR 22, 815,367.74 was withdrawn cash from the British SAAB account by one Abubakar Muhammed Lamin in Saudi Arabia during the 2024 Hajj operation.

“The expected cash payment for services and allowances to staff and stakeholders is SR 14,905,910.47.

“That the total sum of SR 8,614,175.27 cash withdrawal is yet to be accounted for by NAHCON.”

Meanwhile, an investigation into the commission’s activities since 2022 resulted in the recovery of estacodes paid to staff who did not undertake study tours and payments made to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd for services that were not rendered.

The document stated, “While investigation commenced on the criminal aspect which has led to the recovery of Estacodes paid to staff, who did not travel to Indonesia for study tour, also recoveries were made for services not rendered of the sum of SR 1,026,000.00 and SR 1,780,019.99, being purported 7.5% of consultancy paid to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd for debt recover of the sum SR20, 637,908.23 from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia.”

The document stated that all supporting documents for payment of the consultancy services, including the Executive Chairman’s approval, were fraudulently backdated to January 23, 2024, to enable the payment of the sum of SAR 780, 019, 59 to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd on April 14, 2024.

“The first suspect, Jalal Arabi, confessed that the consultant did not render any services.

“A meeting of the Expanded Transitional Exco was held on 25th January 2024 with seven members and 18 staff in attendance but the payment of the consultancy services to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd was not discussed.

“The commission’s secretary slotted the approval for the payment of the 7.5% consultancy to Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd in the minutes of the Expanded Transitional Exco meeting as item 10 under AOB to enable the perfection of the documentation to steal the funds.

“That the said sum of SR1,026,000.00, equivalent to about N430,920,000 Million, was also recovered from one Eastern Gulf Company Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”