(DDM) – Five students from four secondary schools in Rivers State have clinched a total of N430,000 in prizes at the eighth edition of the Bookville Reading Competition, a highly anticipated literary event for young learners across the state.
The competition, themed “From Page To Greatness,” is organised by a literary organisation that operates through a bookstore platform to foster a culture of reading and intellectual development among children aged 10 to 12.
DDM gathered that the programme aims to go beyond classroom learning, cultivating analytical thinking, comprehension skills, and confidence in young participants, who are encouraged to see reading as both a lifestyle and a tool for empowerment.
This year’s winners include King-David Umoren and Tamunosiemiebi Harmony of Teco Secondary School, Port Harcourt; Samuel Odiba of Olive Shoots International School, Port Harcourt; Orafiri Audrey Tamuno of Destiny Field International School, Port Harcourt; and Esther Ezi-Wali of Federal Government Girls’ College, Abuloma.
Each participant distinguished themselves not only by their grasp of literary content but also by their ability to critically analyse and apply information from texts to broader problem-solving contexts.
Umoren, who emerged first, took home a plaque, a laptop, a pack of books, and N150,000 in cash. Odiba, the second-place winner, received a plaque, a tablet, and N100,000, while Harmony, who came third, earned a plaque, a tablet, and N80,000.
Fourth-place winner Tamuno and fifth-place winner Ezi-Wali were each awarded N50,000, alongside educational materials to support their academic progress.
All winners were also granted 80 hours of French lessons at Alliance Française, Port Harcourt, a move intended to enhance their language skills and broaden their academic and global perspectives. Additionally, they received back-to-school items, reinforcing the competition’s focus on holistic development.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Nkem Asoka, convener of the competition, stressed that the programme is designed to promote reading as a lifestyle rather than a short-term activity.
She clarified that the competition is not a spelling bee but a platform to test comprehension, critical thinking, and practical application of knowledge.
“The competition focuses on individual contestants rather than inter-school rivalry,” she said, praising parents for their support and coaches for preparing the students to compete at a high intellectual level.
DDM reports that the Bookville Reading Competition has, over the years, emerged as one of the most impactful literacy initiatives in the Niger Delta, attracting attention from educators, literary enthusiasts, and policymakers seeking to improve reading culture among young Nigerians.
The programme has been credited with producing confident, articulate, and intellectually curious children who can engage meaningfully with complex texts, thereby laying a foundation for future academic and professional success.
With literacy challenges and declining reading habits among children nationwide, initiatives like Bookville provide an essential platform for promoting critical thinking and lifelong learning, ensuring that children are empowered to achieve excellence academically and socially.