By Gilbert Ekezie
The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) recently held its maiden Primary Schools Bible Competition (PSBC).
Six schools in Lagos State participated in the competition with the text: “My 100 best loved Bible stories,” where pupils put their knowledge of the Holy Bible into practice by answering questions thrown to them from various chapters of the Bible.
At the end of round three, which was the final, God’s Glory Abides Nursery & Primary School, Mile 12, Lagos, represented by Master Emmanuel Nwadishi and Miss Momola Oluwade Makinwa, came first with 115 points.
Second position went to Tane Crescent Private School, Surulere, Lagos, with 105 points, while Toddlers Private School, Surulere, took third position with 100 points.
Splendid Steps School, Lekki, Lagos, clinched fourth postion with 83 points, while CAMNPS Nursery & Primary School, Mile 12, and Salem Baptist School, Mile 12, got fifth and sixth positions, respectively.
Participating schools received copies of the Bible, schoolbags, plaques, Scrabble, chess boards and phones as prizes.
Gifts were also given to some of the pupils, namely, Owoyemi Selim, Modupe Amodu, Ayomide, Shayo Babawayo Esther Chinedu, Victor Nwolisa, Esther Kolade and Samuel Kolade, who answered correctly some of the questions from the audience.
Those who participated in the preliminary, Royalty of Christ Kiddies School, Shangisha, and Toddlers School, also received gifts.
Royalty of Christ Kiddies School, Shangisha, presented a choreography.
In her speech, the production and programme manager of BSN, Mrs. Grace Benjamin, said the competition became necessary due to so much moral decadence in society.
She said, aside from distribution of Bibles, BSN is also involved in organising programmes that would make schoolchildren interact with the word of God.
Benjamin, who represented the general secretary of BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, noted that, by the time little ones are exposed to Bible reading and teaching, the knowledge they will acquire will reshape and make them better children at home, school and the society at large, and by so doing Nigeria will be a better place for everyone. “We want to catch them young because they will grow to become teenagers, young adults, adults and leaders tomorrow. If we give them a better foundation, they will grow up to be good children.
“The Bible tells us to train a child in the way he should go, so that when he grows, he will not depart from it.”
She advised parents to make good use of the opportunity by allowing their children to participate in the Bible competition for them to be acquinted with the knowledge of God.
“This year, we wrote to about 50 schools, but only a few turned up. But next year’s competition will be bigger and better because many schools will participate. We will announce it in the social media, newspapers, radio, TV and other media.”
Proprietor of God’s Glory Abide Nursery & Primary School, Mrs. Adeyemi Olusola, expressed gratitude to God, who made her school come first in the competition.
She explained that her school went through rigorous training and preparations to equip the pupils before be the competition.
“It was not easy; we did not relax, but kept reading and studying the Bible. We thank God for giving us victory at last.”
Olusola commended BSN for coming up with the wonderful idea, as it would help teach and reshape the younger ones and make them better leaders of tomorrow.
Emmanuel Nwadishi and Miss Momola Olusola Makinwa were excited for not disappointing their school in the competition: “We are happy for taking the first position. We thank the organisers of the competition and urge them not to relent.”