THE CATHOLIC YOUTH Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) Ibadan concluded on Tuesday 1 May the Mojisola Ladipo Spelling Bee contest at John Paul II Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

Out of the 75 participants from parishes across Ibadan archdiocese, Maryanne Madu from St Monica, Ologuneru, emerged the winner with 24 points.

 Adeigbo Rosario from St Paul’s Omi-Adio took the second position while the third position went to Olorunmota Ifeoluwa of St Anthony, Asipa. They were accorded gold medals, plagues and cash prizes of N50,000; N30,000 and N20,000 respectively.

Prof. B.E. Adeleke, chairman of the occasion, implored the youth to be of good service.

Dr Mojisola Atalabi-Oladele later commended the initiator and the sponsor of the programme, Chief (Mrs) Mojisola Ladipo, and described her as a mentor and a role model.

Earlier, Mrs Ladipo had in her welcome address said the programme was to encourage Catholic youths to read hard as well as understand the English language, the pronunciation of words and their spellings.

The former registrar, University of Ibadan, said that there were so many intelligent boys and girls who were afraid to participate hence their exposure through the programme.

Mrs Ladipo emphasised that the programme would encourage the youth to be part of CYON.

She thanked the archbishop for donating a trophy, Rev. Fr Michael Woods, CYON chaplain, other Rev. Frs, the contestants and Dr Atalabi-Oladele.

Fr Woods rounded off by congratulating the contestants and the winners, saying the competition had revealed great men and women in the archdiocese.

The chaplain then presented the trophy, introduced this year, to the winner’s parish.

Other contestants that reached the final stage but could not scale through the hurdle were Ebube Mba from St Patrick Basorun, fourth position; Felicia Ogunwande, St Anthony Iwo, fifth position, and Felix Adeigbo, St Paul Omi-Adio, sixth position.

-MARGARET OBOGO