14-year-old Nigerian girl wins spelling bee, gets N2.5m, laptop, smartphone and more

14-year-old Nigerian, Kate David is no doubt blessed with brains.

The young girl has won the fifth edition of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition.

Kate David, a student of Intimacy with Christ International School, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, who was awarded a N2.5m scholarship grant, won the spelling bee after correctly spelling the word “acquiesce” in the finale.

She would also become MTN Nigeria CEO for a day, and assume leadership of Africa’s largest telecommunication network.

In her opening remarks, the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Adia Sowho, congratulated the top 20 contestants who beat out over 11,000 participants to compete in the spelling bee finale, stating that the initiative presented a platform for them to develop and maximise their potential. She said:

“Promoting digital education is one way in which we can encourage people to embrace the digital space and enjoy the benefits and convenience that come with it. This is why MTN mPulse continues to engage with young people through the website, which has a vast variety of educational content, enabling them to learn, play and shine.”

Giving her closing remarks, the Chief Human Resource Officer, MTN Nigeria, Esther Akinnukawe, commended the finalists for making it to the finals. In her words:

“Congratulations to Kate for emerging the champion. I want to thank and commend every participant for showing up. Showing up is a winning quality, and I admire your courage in standing in front of the audience to represent yourself, your parent, and your school.”

Kate David was also given a laptop, a smartphone, and an MTN goody bag.

MTN will also present a N350,000 grant and state-of-the-art ICT devices to the winner’s English teacher and school respectively.

The first, second, and third runners-up, Agbo Capable from Intimacy with Christ International School, Nasarawa State, Okechukwu Rejoice representing Glorious covenant school, Rivers State, and Daniel Ann, a student of Glorious Covenant School Rivers State and other finalists were rewarded with prizes valued at over N5.7m.