*** Her brilliance a testimony to our education investment – Governor
*** Spelling Bee winner hails Nigeria First Lady’s legacy, gives Sanwo – Olu’s education programme a thumbs up
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu, on Monday, temporary stepped down from his job, yielding his seat to one – day Governor, Miss Ester Etiyemonu.
Miss Etiyemonu, 14, a Senior Secondary School 11 (SS2) pupil of Lagos State Senior Model College in Igbokuta, Imota, Ikorodu Division, emerged the winner of 2025/2026 Spelling Bee Competition conducted for all eligible public secondary schools in Lagos.
The One – Day Governor was received by Sanwo – Olu at the State House in Marina im company of her two ‘cabinet members’, one – day Deputy – Governor, Miss Dorcas Awoyemi a pupil of Ikosi Senior High School and One – Day Secretary to the State Government, Miss Salami Jumain Olaide a pupil of Angus Memorial Senior High School, Morocco Road, Yaba.
The pupils were accompanied by their parents and their teachers.
Miss Etiyemonu, who won the 21st edition of the competition, presided over a short meeting of the state’s cabinet, giving credence to the vision of the Spelling Bee project initiated by former First Lady of Lagos, now Nigeria First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The One – Day Governor said the initiative had continued to nurture academic excellence and leadership among pupils in Lagos State’s public schools, describing it as a worthy education legacy.
Miss Etiyemonu delved into governance matters, commending Gov. Sanwo – Olu for what she described as remarkable transformation across key sectors, noting that the Governor’s development programme had positively impacted the lives of Lagosians.
She said: In education, Governor Sanwo – Olu’s achievements are highly commendable. We have seen improvement in quality of education through the recruitment of teachers, establishment of technical colleges, provision of digital skills training, upgrading of tertiary institutions staff, housing development, and renovation of public school libraries.
“In the area of transportation, the reconstruction of roads, including the Gberigbe axis en route Ikorodu, has significantly improved accessibility. The Rail Mass projects comprising the Red and Blue Lines, have enhanced mobility and efficiency within the State. This administration’s security initiatives have contributed to improve safety and stability across Lagos.
Responding, Sanwo – Olu said the emergence of One – Day Governor from Lagos State Senior Model College has further justified his administration’s education investment in the State – owned model colleges, noting that Miss Etiyemonu’s school was one of the beneficiaries of his Governor’s education intervention.
The Governor said Miss Etiyemonu’s brilliance reflected the improvement in quality and academic performance being recorded in the State – owned schools Sanwo – Olu said. You are a testament of the quality of education we are providing in our public schools. You are an embodiment of excellence and quality of students coming out of our public schools. This goes to show our investment in education has not gone down the drain. Year on year, we have seen improvement in external exams such as WASSCE and NECO.
This goes to justify our continued intervention in improving the physical environment and ambiance in which you learn.
“We have also addressed some of the issues partaining to the welfare of teachers, which is now reflecting in the quality of output. Your success is a challenge for us to do more. We will continue to provide support in terms of health care, road access to schools, maintenance of school structures and provision of modern facility that will further enhance learning in our public schools. We will also protect your schools and prevent any incident that can potentially distrupt your learning.
Sanwo – Olu said the Spelling Bee Competition had become a worthy legacy bequeathed to Lagos by the Nigeria’s First Lady, pledging to ensure continued support for the initiative.
