Michael OKEOLA

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‎The Ogbomoso Zone has emerged winner of the 2025 edition of the Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) Oyo Diocese Spelling Bee Competition, an event organized as part of the activities marking the 40th Priestly Anniversary of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo.

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‎The competition was held on December 13, 2025, at the Hope Jubilee Hall of the Diocesan Secretariat, Oyo, and attracted contestants and young people from the nine zones of the Diocese, alongside priests, religious, and representatives of the Catholic Men Organization, Catholic Women Organization, and the Laity Council.

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‎The programme commenced at 10:00 a.m. with the enthronement of the Bible, followed by opening prayers led by Rev. Fr. Francis Oyegbola. After the introduction of guests and judges, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Olabode, delivered a welcome address in which he commended the contestants for their commitment and encouraged them to give their best. The Chief Judge, Mr. Godwin Eegunjobi, thereafter outlined the rules and guidelines for the competition before the contest officially began under the coordination of Chief Mojisola Ladipo, the Ekefa Iyalode of Ibadan.

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‎In his address during the event, Bishop Badejo expressed deep appreciation for the “wonderful effort” and significant resources invested by the organizers and Chief Mojisola Ladipo, the Ekefa Iyalode of Ibadan; who sponsored the program, urging the youth to reflect seriously on the sacrifices made on their behalf. He shared a moving illustration of an elderly man who continued to plant fruit trees after a devastating tsunami, not for his own benefit, but for the future generations, just as he himself had once benefited from the labour of others.

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‎Using the story to challenge the young participants, the Bishop urged them to begin asking themselves what contributions they would make for the future. Addressing what he described as a “youth problem,” he distinguished between challenges that require external assistance and those that demand personal responsibility and initiative. He warned that programmes designed for youths, but which depend on their own organization and commitment, would inevitably fail if they do not take responsibility.

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‎Bishop Badejo emphasized that the aim of such initiatives is to raise responsible citizens rather than dependent individuals, cautioning the youth against expecting to reap benefits without contributing effort. He concluded by thanking all who made the event successful and prayed that the young participants, as emerging leaders, would continue to grow from strength to strength.

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‎The event ended on a joyful note as the Ogbomoso Zone was announced the overall winner of the competition, marking a memorable highlight in the anniversary celebrations.