By Dan Zendesha 

GBOKO, Benue State — NKST College, Mkar, has successfully defended its title as champion of the sixth Tiv Spelling Bee Competition, organised by the Tiv People Worldwide Advancement Foundation (TPWAF).

The annual contest brought together nine schools in Gboko to promote literacy in the Tiv language and encourage cultural preservation among young people.

NKST College, Mkar, has retained its position as champion of the 6th Edition of the Tiv Spelling Bee Competition (Gesa U Sangen ABAACA), reaffirming its dominance in the annual contest designed to promote the Tiv language and preserve the cultural heritage of the Tiv people.

The competition, organised by the Tiv People Worldwide Advancement Foundation (TPWAF), took place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Gboko, with nine basic schools participating.

Having won the previous edition, NKST College successfully defended its title after another impressive performance.
Speaking during the event, Chairman of the TPWAF Board of Trustees, Craig Ukeyima, described the competition as a growing cultural movement that has evolved beyond a spelling contest into a platform for strengthening the Tiv language, promoting cultural values and encouraging community participation in preserving Tiv heritage.

Delivering the keynote address on the theme, "Celebrating Tiv Heritage through Language," Pastor Amos Atindiga urged Tiv youths to reject criminality, begging, laziness and disrespect for elders, stressing that such behaviours conflict with Tiv cultural values.

He encouraged young people to remain proud of their identity, noting that learning foreign languages should complement—not replace—their knowledge and appreciation of the Tiv language.

Pastor Atindiga also expressed concern over what he described as declining interest in speaking Tiv and commended TPWAF for sustaining initiatives aimed at reviving positive cultural values.

Secretary of the TPWAF Board of Trustees, Mimi Addingi, reaffirmed the foundation's commitment to programmes that strengthen Tiv society. She thanked participating schools, teachers, parents and supporters for contributing to the success of the sixth edition.

At the conclusion of the competition:
1st: NKST College, Mkar

2nd: WM Bristow Secondary School, Gboko

3rd: Notre Dame Girls Secondary School, Mkar

Individual Winners
Overall Best Contestant & Best Male: Chikive Aôndolumun (NKST College, Mkar)

Second Overall & Best Female: Destiny Gbegba (Kings Comprehensive College, Mkar)

Third Overall: Aondonguher Isaac (WM Bristow Secondary School, Gboko)

Organisers said the annual competition continues to encourage literacy in the Tiv language while inspiring younger generations to preserve one of Benue State's rich linguistic and cultural heritages.