When students' spelling ability falls below that of same-age peers, it can cause low self-esteem which will affect their confidence and in turn result in poor performance at school. It may affect both the amount a student writes. In collaboration with the Eagle Global Initiative The Brain Virtual Spelling Bee Competition was organized to help the visually impaired students improve their spellings, think fast and to boost their level of confidence.
17 Students registered for the Brain Virtual Spelling Bee competition, 15 of them were present during the events but three dropped off before the competition started due to poor internet connectivity.
The youngest participant pulled his way through and came third. His name is Iseoluwa Badipe. Iseoluwa Badipe is a unique boy with a great vision. He was born 12yrs ago, at the age of 9 he started complaining about not been able to see the board in the classroom. He was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed of acute glaucoma. Since then he has been in & out of ophthalmologist clinic till January 2020 when he could no longer read and write like other regular students. His parents had to change his school to a special school at King's College Lagos. Iseoluwa loves singing and is learning how to play the piano. He aspires to be a lawyer. Iseoluwa was given a cash prize of $38.7 (N15,000)
The second position was Abednego Jacob.
Abednego Jacob aka Abednego Noris and #firstblindafricanrapper. He is a student of Kings College, and also a student in the Free Online Learning Platform of The Eagle Global Initiative. He hails from Ugheli-south in Delta State. He is last child of 5. He calls himself, the special one of the family. He lost his sight to cataract and detachment three months after birth. In spite of this, he struggles and strives hard to be heard. He wants the world to see reasons why "Out of sight, isn't out of mind." He is an upcoming broadcaster, compere, voiceover artist, and more. Abednego believes that his talents will open doors for him! Hence his reason for striving for success and living his dreams one step at a time. His dream is to see the world accept and show love to the hopeless. Abdenego was given a cash prize of $64.9 (N25,000).
The overall champion was Yusuf Odekunle. Yusuf Odekunle hails from Oyo state. He was born and brought up in Lagos State. He is the second child of his family who became blind at a tender age in 2006. According to him, he was returning from school one Monday afternoon when suddenly a storm started and that was how he couldn't see again. He found his way home owing to his high level of intelligence. When he got home, his family didn't believe his story but later believed him when he could no longer do things independently the way he used to. At that point, he stopped associating with friends because he felt totally different from them. All efforts to restore his sight proved abortive. He was introduced to a blind elementary school to revive his Hope of humanity. He attended Pacelli School for the blind. And then he proceeded to Government College Ikere Ekiti State. He loves reading and writing poems. He's popularly called Yuzey the poet. He's the Chief Judge in the free Online Learning Platform of the Eagle Global Initiative. Yusuf was given a cash prize of $130.5 (N50,000).
All participants received a certificate of participation. Kudos to you all!
Our sincere gratitude to the
- Participants and their parents
- The Eagle Global Initiative
Janet Adeogun (Nigeria)
- The Word Announcer
Yemisi Flourish-Adeniran (USA)
- Judges
Grace Amoka Nigeria)
Ayobami Idowu Nigeria)
Olufemi Bayoade (Nigeria)
- Monitors
Adaeze Otulana (Nigeria)
Frankie Doe Klar (China)
Chimzi Chidi (Nigeria)
Nina Forgwe (Cameroon)
Michael Obiri-Adjei (Ghana)
Abdoulie Singhateh (The Gambia)
Andrew Dauda (Serria Leone)
Miriam Ifejika (Nigeria)
Gift Nwanne (USA)
Richard Oladipo (Nigeria)
- Compere
Emeka Odiaka (Nigeria)
Chrstine Akume (Nigeria)
- The social media team
Yemi John (Nigeria)
Awele Osa-Afina (Nigeria)
Tongret Lot (Nigeria)
- The entire Yspot Team
- Our Yspot Ambassador
Suzanne John
- The talented poet and writer
Wuraola Omotosho