A Muslim student, Muritala Desmond on Thursday May 15 led his school’s team to win the just concluded Bible quiz competition for primary schools in Lagos organised by the Bible Society of Nigeria.
Six schools qualified for the final round of the competition which took place at the Salvation Army Compound in Onipanu, Lagos.
Hundreds of primary school pupils from across Lagos were on ground to cheer the competitors as they answer questions from the Bible. They drew applause from the spectators each time they answered correctly
But Desmond a Muslim along with Taiwo Ewaoluwa representing Shalom.Baptist International School in Mile 12 came first scoring 100 percent in the competition.
The Graine Royale School came second with 90 percent while Angels on Mission School came third with 85 percent .
The first three in the competition were given a variety of gift items including books, bags, writing and many other educational materials
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Mrs Grace Benjamin who stood in for the CEO of the Bible Society of Nigeria at the event said the competition which was the 4th edition was designed to increase Bible knowledge among young people.
She said the knowledge of the Bible is critical to the total wellbeing of the student while urging parents to ensure their wards have Bible knowledge..
Since the BSN started the competition, Benjamin said the BSN.noticed that young people have a lot of interest in the word of God. ‘We see them show zeal and dedication to the Bible each time we hold the completion. This shows that they only need to be encouraged.’
Benjamin also used the opportunity to appeal to corporate bodies to sponsor the completion.
‘We have given out a lot of gift items mostly books and educational materials to winners. But we want to take it further and give scholarships to students that excel in the competition.
“That will be a great way to encourage the students. We are appealing that parents and corporate organisations that so desire should come to sponsor in this regard.’
Muslim Boy
Also talking with journalists at the event, teacher of the students who came first in the competition, Mrs Adedoyin Bawa said Muritala Desmond, the Muslim boy had always displayed excellence in school..
She said the Muslim boy came in contact with the school when he followed his friends to the school for a coaching session.
That was how he fell in love with the school. His grandparents who are practising Muslims at first did not want him to attend the school when they found out it’s a mission school.
‘But the Boy insisted that he would like to attend the school.. He told them it’s either he attends the school or no other school. They had no option but to allow him.’
Ironically, the boy who is currently in Basic 4 also attends Quranic school but Mrs Bawa says he has shown a lot of interest in the Bible.
‘He reads the Bible very well and shows so much interest when Bible stories are being told. Apart from Bible knowledge, he is good in other subjects too and has been excelling in his class.’ said Bawa.
