Urhobo Spelling Bee Set to Hold for Secondary Schools Across 24 Kingdoms

In a bold move to promote indigenous language preservation and cultural identity, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Community Development to the Governor of Delta State, Chief Ejiro Ayomide Hope, JP, has unveiled the Urhobo Spelling Bee for Secondary Schools across Urhobo Land.

The initiative, organized by Chief Ejiro A. Hope, JP, who also serves as the U3 National Youth Leader, is aimed at revitalizing the Urhobo language among young people by encouraging proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the mother tongue.

According to Chief Hope, the Urhobo Spelling Bee is part of a deliberate effort to safeguard the cultural heritage of the Urhobo people, who rank as the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria. He stressed that preserving the language is crucial to sustaining the people’s identity and passing their rich cultural values to future generations.

The maiden edition of the competition is scheduled to take place as follows:

Venue: Government College, Ughelli

Date: Friday, 13th February 2026

Time: 10:00am prompt

To encourage excellence and healthy competition, attractive cash prizes will be awarded to outstanding participants. The winner will receive ₦1,000,000, the first runner-up ₦500,000, while the second runner-up will go home with ₦250,000.

Selected secondary schools representing the 24 Urhobo kingdoms will participate in the competition. They include Government College, Ughelli (Ughelli Kingdom); Edjekota Secondary School (Ogor Kingdom); Eni Grammar School (Evwreni Kingdom); Uwheru Grammar School (Uwheru Kingdom); Orogun Grammar School (Orogun Kingdom); Agbarho Grammar School (Agbarho Kingdom); Ibru College (Agbarha Kingdom); Jeremi Grammar School (Ughievwen Kingdom); Okpare Grammar School (Olomu Kingdom); Ewu Grammar School (Ewu Kingdom); Arhavwarien Grammar School (Arhavwarien Kingdom); Okparabe Secondary School (Okparebe Kingdom); Otor-Udu Grammar School (Udu Kingdom); Urhobo College (Uvwie Kingdom); Orerokpe Secondary School (Okpe Kingdom); Ovu Grammar School (Agbon Kingdom); Umiagwha Secondary School (Umiagwha Kingdom); Abraka Grammar School (Oruarivie Kingdom); Ejera Secondary School (Idjere Kingdom); Uduaka Secondary School (Mosoga Kingdom); Ogini Grammar School (Oghara Kingdom); Essi College (Agbarha Warri Kingdom); Ighobudu Secondary School (Okere Kingdom); and Effurun-Otor Secondary School (Effurun-Otor Kingdom).

The Urhobo Spelling Bee is widely seen as a timely cultural intervention that will not only strengthen indigenous education but also instill pride and confidence in Urhobo youths.

As the countdown begins, stakeholders have commended Chief Ejiro Hope for his visionary leadership and commitment to cultural sustainability.

Preserve the language. Protect the culture. Empower the future.