Celebrating MultipIe Intelligences in Rivers State

Introduction

To remain relevant in the 21st century, you have to possess an array of skills and an arsenal of knowledge in different fields. Hence, the need for Celebrating Multiple Intelligences

The saying “a jack of all trades master of none…”  has since become almost irrelevant as those with knowledge in different spheres of life are now dominant and widely sought after.

Celebrating Multiple Intelligences

To identify and celebrate exceptional students and teachers with multiple intelligences and have shown brilliance, BookChef Academy in collaboration with Worital, a leading book publishing firm in Lagos, Nigeria, organised the BookChef Ink Competition tagged “Celebrating MultipIe Intelligences” in categories such as:

-Narrative Letter Writing Competition 

-Sportsmanship

-Craftsmanship

-Oral Literature Review 

The maiden edition of the intellectual gathering which was held on the 29th of July, 2023 at the Retreat Center of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Rumuobiakani in Port Harcourt started with a captivating Nigerian National Anthem by young pianist, Emmanuel Mazi Eze followed by the official unveiling of the BookChef Academy Brand Ambassadors – Mirabel Umeozulu and Angel Eke. They were decorated by Zita Ibamo and Evidence Ajuwa.

Next was the competition. Narrative Letter Writing and Sportsmanship categories went on simultaneously having the both categories last for 45 minutes and 1 hour respectively.

The team of judges are:

-Dr. Mazi Eze – Lead Judge

-Chidinma Akpamgbo 

-Juliet Chukwu

-Vivian Chidinma Ude

-Vera Genesis

-Feji Khai

-Chioma Olisa

-Charis Precious Abisam

The sportsmanship category consisted of mind games like scrabble, chess and monopoly.

As the competition raged, the audience were kept entertained by beautiful melodies from the Disk Jockey.

Four schools were represented in the competition.

-Marvel DNP Comprehensive School

-Blessed Children Academy

-Orchid Parfait Academy

-Class-Kika International School

Keynotes from Each Speaker

Below are keynotes from each speaker

Mrs. Uloma Ikpendu – 10 steps to implement multiple intelligences in Schools.

•Have multiple intelligences centers

•Hold multiple intelligences project

•Hold multiple intelligences based group activities

•Create multipIe intelligences based choice board

•Hold periodic multiple intelligences shows

•Hold multiple intelligences themed debate

•Hold multiple intelligences jigsaw learning (break down complex task)

•Hold multiple intelligences cultural fair

•Let students reflect on their multiple intelligence activities.

•Plan multiple intelligence field trips to help students develop. 

Mr. Suanu Moni – Financial Intelligence

“If you are not financially intelligent, you would be at the mercy of the mercy of everything.”

“No  one is too young to think about money.”

“Your  job can only make you a living. So, to live above the normal you’ve to make use of your unique gifts”

“To remain relevant in the new world you have to be intelligent in different fields.” 

Dr. Festus Odigie Erewele – Rushed Education (the difference between brilliance and intelligence)

Dr. Festus defined Rushed Education as the process of skipping some stages in education that are vital. 

What happens when you rush education? 

•You have a child adult or an adult child having the both no longer representing their age grades.

“It’s not the issue of who comes out first but who comes out best.”

“Education is not an art, it’s a process.”

“Information is not knowledge.”

Education is in three stages 

-Information

-Knowledge

-Understanding 

For one to be said to be educated, they must have passed through the three stages. 

Highlights of the Event – Celebrating Multiple Intelligences

1. Craftsmanship Category

This category comprised drawing and painting. Contesting students went head to head for 30 minutes creating a masterpiece from their ever creative mind.

At the end of the 30 minutes set out for the exercise, each student craftsman had a piece of art work to wow the audience.

2. Oral Literature Review Category 

13 participants and representatives of the various schools were given 2 minutes each to summarise the book “The Boy-Adult: Letters from Oyinna Series” and they were at the mercy of the judges.

This particular session aroused special concern from the judges, speakers, as well as other guest participants. Recommendations were given to schools and school teachers to teach students and pupils authenticity and originality in their oral delivery as opposed to their imitation of foreign accents.

There were a series of other activities by students to keep the audience entertained which include.

• Ballet dance.

• Traditional dance 

• Hip hop dance

The first phase of the event – Celebrating Multiple Intelligences – came to climax winners winners were announced and awards were presented to deserving contestants.

3. Awards

Below is a list of winners in the various categories.

Sportsmanship Category 

Monopoly

1st – Faith Ikechukwu

2nd – Ebuka Anozie

3rd – Onyinyechi Anozie

Scrabble

1st – Ezeanyim Chukwuemeka 

2nd – Chinedu Akubeiyi

3rd – Wisdom Victory 

Chess

1st – Kiara Okoro

2nd – Omeche Bruno 

3rd – Edison Ubah

Craftsmanship Category

Drawing

1st – Nwadire Victory 

2nd – Nwodo Obinna

Painting

1st – Bose Evangelina

2nd – Douglas IamBlessed 

Oral Literature Review Category

1st – Chimamanda Ibe

2nd – Udochi Amaka

3rd – Daniel Peter 

Narrative Letter Writing Category

Senior

1st – Izuchukwu Chiemerie

2nd – Halliday Noble 

3rd – Anyachukwu Chiecherim

Junior

1st – Nafiza Tenimu

2nd – Anyachukwu Chiecherim

3rd – Olivia Chinedu Chidera

Most Responsive School Award

Blessed Children Academy won the award of the most active and responsive school.

In an address, the Convener and Founder of BookChef Academy, Mrs Ijeawale Chimamaka Ogbonna said BookChef Ink Competition is aimed at showcasing different talents and skills in children while showing parents, school owners, and guardians that this is the new way of doing things.

Ijeawele said “A Lot has changed over the years with a very fast-paced 21st Century, so we want them to learn to embrace change and know that with every skill acquired, there is a future.”

The Convener Awarded 

In appreciation of the sacrifices and efforts of Mrs. Ijeawale Chimamaka Ogbonna, Convener of the BookChef Ink Competition, the team of judges led by Dr. Maxi Eze pulled up a surprise award for her. She expressed her gratitude to them.

The Launch

The book launch of the book, “The Boy-Adult: Letters from Oyinna Series” was another phase of the event which had respected and special guests come in from far and near to celebrate the ingenuity of the author, Mrs Ijeawale Chimamaka Ogbonna.

The launch featured presentations from Mr. Emeka Nobis referred to as the Don, Mr. Olumati Isaiah (The Principal), Dr. Ella Chioma Ezeadilieje (Veronica’s Daughter), Mrs. Nkechi Amadi, etc.

The book reviewer, Mrs. Uloma Ikpendu commended the author for her unique style and issues addressed in the book which she acknowledges are relatable. And encouraged every home to have a copy of the book.

After the book review comes the formal unveiling of the intellectual peace by Mrs. Ijeawale Chimamaka Ogbonna titled “The Boy-Adult: Letters from Oyinna Series”

There were dance performances to lighten up Prince Matthew who is known as African Michael Jackson, and Zaire Ladies.

Conclusion

The story of the BookChef is a testimony that any child can go on to become great if allowed to explore his or her multiple intelligences. 

A standing ovation wouldn’t be enough to appreciate the convener of this great event for the value added to all attendees. 

Everyone looks forward to the second edition of the BookChef Ink Competition and hope it will come up very soon.

Simon Ojelabi

The Social Voice Africa