Third Edition of Udom Word Challenge Ends in Grandeur as Oniong West Secondary School Ikot Edor Clinches First Position
___Clan Head of Asuna Nung Oku Displays Superlative Word Prowess During Executive Session
___Apostle Elijah Jack Foundation Augments Prizes and Donated Books to Participating Schools
It was an intense war of words as secondary schools in ONNA battled for supremacy at the third edition of the ONNA Inter-Secondary School Word Challenge, dubbed “Udom Word Challenge 2024.”
The event, proudly sponsored by Deacon Edmond Uffang, Chief Protocol Officer to HE Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, showcased exceptional talent and competitive spirit.
HRH Etebom (Hon.) E. A. Itiat Udo Udang IV, Clan Head of Asuna Nung Oku, chaired the occasion in his grandeur, mesmerizing spectators during the executive session with his excellent word prowess and tile placement skills. In his remarks, he shared valuable study tips with the students to enhance their cognitive reasoning and word retention.
Setting the tone for the competition, the progenitor of the Udom Word Challenge and CEO of TEAM International, TPL Itiat Itiat Christopher, emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities tied to academic excellence. He stated, “Humanity requires the services of its best brains to progress positively. It is these best brains that drive any developing society. This scrabble competition will provide students the opportunity to excel in their future endeavors, as education is the real power.”
TPL Itiat also announced the augmentation of the prize money for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions and the provision of over 200 customized notebooks by the Apostle Elijah Jack Foundation. This noble gesture aims to further encourage young minds by fostering mental, educational, and social skills for global engagement.
After five rounds of intense word engagement among the ten participating secondary schools in ONNA, Oniong West Secondary School Ikot Edor triumphed, clinching the first position. Qua Iboe Church Senior Science School Ndon Eyo emerged as the first runner-up, while Community Secondary Commercial School Ikot Akpan Ishiet secured the second runner-up position.
The occasion had in attendance the Personal Assistant II to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Arc. Ayara Etete Johnson, who lent his expertise to ensure the event was top-notch with his Midas touch.
Distinguished Word Masters in attendance included Prince Ubong Akpan, former Chairman of the PDP Ward Chairmen Forum in ONNA; Mr Ita Ekpoh, Director of Quality Assurance ONNA Local Education Committee, Mrs. Idongesit Udo, Principal General of CSCS Ikot Akpan Ishiet; Mr. Aniefiok Udoka, Sports Coordinator ONNA Local Education Committee; all the game masters of public schools in ONNA; and the Director of Academics Federated ONNA Students of Nigeria Worldwide (FOSON), Comrade Miracle Christian.
Each participating school registered two scrabble players, and the venue for the 3rd edition of the ONNA Inter-Secondary Scrabble Competition “Udom Word Challenge 2024” was the Community Secondary Commercial School Ikot Akpan Ishiet, ONNA.
It is a truism that classroom learning achieves better comprehension when blended with interesting out-of-classroom activities such as scrabble.
