My Experience at the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee - Ajibola Richard

It was on the1st of December 2023, the day I went to Lagos to represent my school at the MTN MPULSE SPELLING BEE. I found out about the competition online and I decided on participating in the competition. The competition has been my dream ever since i heard about it. I qualified in the first and second rounds, then I was sent an email by MTN to send some of my details. I sent all the needed documents and about a week later I got an email from MTN that I made it to the top 20 and would be going to MTN MPULSE national finals at Lagos. I was really happy about it and I began to prepare for the competition. 

The journey to Lagos was eventful. I was escorted to Lagos by my Coach and 3 other spellers who were also going to be representing the school. When we got to Lagos, we saw a lot of tall buildings and industries. I also saw a lot of boats and ships. I saw some statues which I have been taught about in my school and always wished to see them. By 11:45 am we got to Lagos and got to the PENINSULA hotel by 11:50 am. We waited for about 10 minutes at the hotel lobby until 12 pm which was the time we could lodge in to the hotel room. I was the only male speller who came the competition, so I was in a room with my coach. Then, we were settled at our respective rooms which was directly opposite to each other. I took my dictionary and continued my reading. At the same day of arrival, we were taken to the venue of the competition for a dry run. The dry run helped spellers yo be familiar about the competition. I was familiar with all the rules and regulation and knew what to do. Back at the hotel room, I continued reading, I was really determined on winning the competition. Before I left for Lagos, I decided that I would not get distracted and will stay focused. 

Finally, it was the competition day. I was really tensed but I kept going. We waited in the lobby for the bus to arrive for us to get to the venue. When we got to the venue, we were reminded of the rules and regulations before we started the competition. The competition commenced. We were only 20 spellers. The first round was really tough but I got my word correctly leaving only 10 spellers remaining at the end of the first round. The second round started. When it got to my turn I was really afraid, I was given my word to spell but unfortunately I didn't get my word correctly.

I was really unhappy but I didn't give up. I thought to myself that this is not the end and I should put in more effort for the competition next year. Later,  I realized 3 other spellers from my school were still in the competition. I believed they would emerge victorious. At the end of the competition, the students of my school emerged the 2nd and 3rd positions of the MTN spelling bee. I was really happy for them. I won a lot of good prizes and I was given a framed certificate. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget in my life. Thank you MTN for being the best service provider in Nigeria!