Location: Port Harcourt Primary School, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Expanding Minds. Elevating Voices.
In June 2025, Okachi Charity Foundation (OCF) launched a new flagship educational program a combined Spelling Bee and Debate Competition aimed at building vocabulary, confidence, public speaking skills, and critical thinking among pupils in underserved public schools.
This is a space long dominated by private institutions. OCF is committed to changing that. We believe public school children deserve the same enriching, competitive experiences as their more privileged peers and we are creating those pathways.
Why It Matters
These activities are not just competitions. They are investments in self-belief. By engaging pupils in structured spelling bees and formal debates, we’re training young minds to think and articulate.
Public speaking, in particular, has proven to be a launchpad for global representation from Nigerian children winning international debate championships, to math prodigies representing the country abroad. OCF wants to help identify and nurture that potential early.
What We Did
•School-level qualifiers were held separately at State School Sangana and Port Harcourt Primary School
•Final inter-school competition brought both schools together in Port Harcourt
•Two coastal buses were rented to transport 70 pupils and teachers from Sangana to Port Harcourt
•All pupils were fed and supported with refreshments during the event
•Parents and stakeholders were in attendance to cheer the children a first-of-its-kind experience in this region
Winners
Spelling Bee Winners
•1st: Godsgift Barido – Port Harcourt Primary School
•2nd: Amina Dauda – Port Harcourt Primary School
•3rd: Stella Bassey – State School Sangana
Debate Winners
•1st: Treasure Py-abari – Port Harcourt Primary School
•2nd: Magret Sokari – State School Sangana
•3rd: Blessed Goodlive – State School Sangana
Awards Included:
•Trophies, Certificates, School Supplies, Books, Gift Items, OCF-sponsored treats and Cash Prices
OCF Etiquette & Enrichment Experience
As part of their reward, winners were enrolled in OCF’s etiquette enrichment program, including a chaperoned visit to a movie theater in a high-end district their first ever. Dressed with pride, transported by OCF, and seated in air-conditioned halls, these children were introduced to new worlds not just through film, but through exposure to a life beyond their streets.
