11-year-old Karis Udoeyop emerged as the champion of the 2024 Bookville Reading Competition, themed “The Rhythm of Words,” which celebrated the transformative power of reading and awarded participants for their excellence and determination.
Karis Udoeyop, an 11-year-old student, emerged as the champion of the 2024 Bookville Reading Competition, expressing confidence that the questions posed during the contest were not difficult for her.
The competition, organized by Bookville Integrated Resources Limited, was themed “The Rhythm of Words” and aimed to foster a culture of reading as a lifestyle and lifelong habit. Since its inception in 2017, the annual event has encouraged children to engage deeply with books beyond academics.
This year’s contest began with 103 participants aged 10 to 12 and culminated in a grand finale at Alliance Française, GRA, Port Harcourt. After multiple rigorous rounds, the top three contestants, all girls, were announced.
Final Results and Prizes
- Karis Amara Udoeyop (JSS 2, TEKO Secondary School, Rumuomasi) claimed first place. She was awarded:
A plaque
₦100,000
A laptop
A set of books
A school bag
Six months of French lessons at Alliance Française, Port Harcourt
- Obibi Mamose Vania (SSS 2, Citadel School, SARS Road) secured the second position and received:
A plaque
₦85,000
A tablet
A set of books
A school bag
Six months of French lessons at Alliance Française
- Chidera Ndigwe (SSS 1, Wisdom Gate International College) came third, earning:
A plaque
₦50,000
An electronic device
A set of books
A school bag
Ndigwe also won an additional ₦25,000 for being the “Most Determined” contestant. Similarly, Denzel Illabuchi received ₦25,000 for being the “Most Improved” participant after overcoming early challenges in the competition.
The competition’s founder and CEO, Nkem Asoka, highlighted the purpose of the event: encouraging children to embrace reading as a tool for empowerment and self-improvement.
“Reading empowers the mind, and an empowered mind leads to confident, independent thinking,” Asoka explained. She noted that 116 initial entries were screened to 103, with 85 participants attending the preliminaries. The final round featured 29 contestants after one participant relocated.
Chief Judge Nneka Uzamaka Nbekwe praised the contestants for their efforts, emphasizing the importance of reasoning, content, grammar, and clarity in their presentations. She noted that topics explored during the competition included societal issues such as forced marriages and career choices, inspired by the book The Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland.
During her address, Executive Director of Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, Helen Egbe, commended the organizers, sponsors, and participants, emphasizing that the competition was a celebration of the transformative power of reading.
“To all contestants, remember that by participating, you have already won by choosing to embrace the joy of reading,” Egbe said.
In an interview with South-South PUNCH, Udoeyop, who was visibly emotional when declared the winner, expressed gratitude to her coach, mother, and sister for their support.
“I love reading and writing, and this competition felt like it was made for me,” she shared.
The event concluded with consolation prizes, including books, awarded to several finalists. Sponsors such as Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, Alliance Française, and Sundry Foods contributed to the success of the competition.
Organizers reaffirmed their commitment to inspiring young minds to open a book and unlock their potential.
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