Last Updated on May 4, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Joy Adeyiga
The Budding Leaders Empowerment Initiative (BUDLEIN), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on youth mentorship and capacity building, commemorated the 2025 World Book Day with a Spelling Bee and Reading Competition aimed at promoting literacy and stimulating creativity among young learners.
The event, themed “Discovering New Worlds: How Books Spark Imagination Beyond Screens,” held today, April 30, 2025, at the Auditorium of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), attracted pupils and students from a variety of schools and communities across Ogun State.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, was Prof. Emmanuel Idehen, Academic Coordinator of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), who delivered the University’s Goodwill Message, commended BUDLEIN for its transformative contributions to children and youth development. He appreciated the initiative for creating platforms that inspire learning and leadership.
“Events like this ignite the passion for reading and lifelong learning, which are essential ingredients for nurturing tomorrow’s leaders,” the Vice-Chancellor stated, while wishing all participants a rewarding experience.
In her Welcome Address, Executive Director of BUDLEIN and Dean of the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS), Prof. Iyabode Kehinde, expressed deep appreciation to participants, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters. She gave special recognition to her husband who is the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, and a Board Member of BUDLEIN, for his steadfast support since the initiative’s inception in 2019.
She noted that BUDLEIN remained committed to advancing literacy, innovation, environmental sustainability, and community growth through impactful campaigns such as Every Child Counts and Youth Impact.
The highlight of the event featured spirited performances by contestants, heartfelt encouragement from mentors and educators, and the announcement of winners in both the Spelling Bee and Reading Competitions.
The Reading Competition winners were (Primary Category):
1st – Charis Osiboye (FUNAAB Staff School)
2nd – Adeoye Adedunni (SeMerc Elementary School)
3rd – Olugbeje Faith (Foursquare Nursery and Primary School)
Reading Competition (Senior Category):
1st – Tijesunimi Tanimonure (The Chosen College)
2nd – Odusote
Oluwalayomi (Babcock Academy)
3rd – Glory Adegoke (Precious Treasures College)
Spelling Bee (Primary Category):
1st – Akande Timilehin (Brighterville School)
2nd – Ojo Oluwatofunmi (FUNAAB Staff School)
3rd – Emmanuel Omidiran (Arish Group of Schools)
Spelling Bee (Secondary Category):
1st – Victor Ogunrinu (De Dames College)
2nd – Oluwagbamila Oreaanu (Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu)
3rd – Odunfa Price (Arish Group of Schools)
In addition to trophies, certificates, and cash prizes, each child went home with a book. BUDLEIN also extended support to under-resourced schools by donating school uniforms and fully sponsoring some students transitioning from primary to secondary education.
The event was supported by generous sponsorships from organisations including Bounty Press Limited, The Book Company Limited, Genius Books Publishers, Mide Farms, Dodopho
Consults, Fan milk, Honeywell Foods, Sliden Africa and Abayomi Oluwatosin Jiboku Foundation.
