NEAZDP, CEPES Organise Quiz, Spelling Bee for GDJSS in Yobe

From Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu

The North East Arid Zone Development Programme (NEAZDP), in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental and Primary Education Studies (CEPES), Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashu’a (USCOEGA), has launched a Quiz and Spelling Bee Competition for Government Day Junior Secondary Schools (GDJSS) across nine LGAs of Yobe State as part of efforts to promote academic excellence and environmental sustainability.

The competition, which is being conducted in three zones—Bade, Nguru and Geidam—began with the Bade Zone contest held on Tuesday, in Gashu’a, bringing together students from Bade, Jakusko and Yusufari Local Government Areas.

The Mega GDJSS, Gashu’a, emerged the overall winner, while Umar Suleiman GDJSS, Gashu’a, and Ramat GDJSS, Gashu’a, placed second and third, respectively.

The Programme Manager of NEAZDP, Dr. Mulima Idi Mato, commended the participants for their outstanding performances and encouraged them to sustain the spirit of academic excellence.

Dr. Mato said the competition would continue in the Nguru Zone with schools from Nguru, Karasuwa and Machina Local Government Areas, while the Geidam Zone would feature participants from Geidam, Bursari and Yunusari LGAs.

He disclosed that, as part of the programme’s environmental sustainability initiative, mango and neem tree seedlings were distributed to participating students and schools to encourage tree planting and environmental conservation.

According to him, NEAZDP will revisit the participating schools in December to assess the growth and maintenance of the seedlings.

He added that special awards would be presented to the student and school that demonstrate the highest level of commitment to nurturing the trees.

The Bade Zone competition featured students from New Mega GDJSS, Gashu’a; Ramat GDJSS, Gashu’a; Umar Suleiman GDJSS, Gashu’a; GDJSS Jakusko; GDJSS Karage; GDJSS Limanti; and GDJSS Mayori.

The event, which marked the first joint academic competition organised by NEAZDP and CEPES, provided a platform for students to demonstrate their intellectual abilities while promoting environmental awareness and instilling a culture of tree planting and environmental responsibility among young learners.