Jane Elo Ossai and Precious Ayodele had emerged winners of 2024 Korea Writing and Speech contests respectively organized by King Sejong Institute Foundation and Korea Cultural Centre, Nigeria (KCCN) in Abuja Thursday.

Ossai, a civil Engineering graduate who also clinched second position in Korea Speech contest thanked Korean Embassy for the opportunity to participate and also win.

She said the contest meant so much to her, noting that she got to learn Korean language through self-study in Nigeria with materials and internet resource.

“I was fascinated with Korean language the first time I heard it and this made me to develop interest in it. Korean language is highly interesting and I consider it the best language in the world.

She was gifted N100, 000 for winning the writing contest and given N50, 000 for coming second in Speech event.

Also speaking, Pearl Ogbalu, a Content Creator and Physiologist who took second position in the Writing competition said she was happy for the chance given to her to participate and prove herself again having done same last year.

Ogbalu said that she was fulfilled given the fact that her hard work paid off, informing that she learnt Korean language online through music, movies and variety of shows.

She hailed KCCN for fostering the beautiful relations with Nigeria and constantly giving people the chance to participate. She expressed happiness for the opportunity and hoped that it would continue.

Imam Lantana Mohammed, who was the second runner-up for Writing Competition said the contest was exciting and thanked Korean Cultural Centre for the opportunity which she said had exposed her to more Korean culture.

Speaking on the event, Chidinma Tobins, Administrative Officer of the Korean Cultural Centre, Nigeria (KCCN) said the event was organized by King Sejong Institute Foundation, a major Korean Language Institute. She noted it was done in a bid to spread Korean language and expose its culture.

“The Institute has certain programs where they teach Korean language. They also organize competition for foreigners all around the world to see how much Korean they know and get rewarded for it.

“This particular one had both speaking and writing competitions. In writing, we have only five contestants and in Speech Contest, we have about 10. The winner of Speech competition gets round trip to Korea and monetary award of N100, 000. It is a way of encouraging the language to spread and people to be interested in it. It is done once in a year.

“The criteria for selection are all about given one a topic to speak or write on. This particular topic is on “My Special Korean Culture Experience” she stated.

Director of Korea Cultural Centre, Nigeria, Mr. Kim Chang Ki said the event holds every year to promote Korea writing and speech as many Nigerians like to study in Korea.

“We have Korea language class and the competition was about promoting Korean language. Last Monday, Korean teacher came here from Korea and many Nigerians are studying Korea language. The winner of the event would have the opportunity to go to Korea to experience its culture firsthand” he said.