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| Photo Credit — From left, District Youth Pastor; Pastor Abiodun Alade; Pastor Kehinde Ogundare; Region 12 Youth Pastor; Pastor Philip Seyide • 2025 Bible Recitation Champion, Grace Akinmutila; 2026 Champion, Rehoboth Olakunle; first runner up • Aduragbemi Olaniran; Second runner up • Jesumihefue Marcus; and chairman. |
11-year-old Rehoboth Olakunle has emerged as the winner of the 2026 Bible Recitation Challenge organised by the Youth Fellowship of The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Ogba District, Region 12.
Olakunle took the top spot among 21 contestants at the grand finale held on Sunday, 20 September 2026, at Pacesetters Assembly, Lagos. He impressed the judges with strong Scripture mastery and biblical knowledge.
For his achievement, the young champion received a Dell Latitude 5410 laptop as the star prize. Aduragbemi Olaniran finished as first runner-up and received a mobile phone, while Jesumihefue Marcus placed third and was awarded a cash prize.
What the competition covered
The challenge tested contestants on several areas of biblical knowledge. These included the accurate recitation of 48 memory verses drawn from the 2025/2026 Sunday Bible School lessons, 1 Corinthians 13, and Bible quizzes.
The top 10 contestants received various prizes. All 21 participants were presented with Certificates of Excellence in recognition of their commitment to studying and memorising the Scriptures.
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Messages from church leaders
Speaking on the theme “Hiding God’s Word in Your Heart,” District Pastor Kehinde Ogundare encouraged the youths to go beyond memorising Scripture for competition. He urged them to make the Word of God the foundation of their daily lives.
Ogundare noted that God’s Word stored in the heart provides guidance, strengthens believers against sin, and equips young Christians to live purposeful lives in a challenging world.
District Youth Pastor Abiodun Alade explained that the initiative aims to raise a generation of young people with a deep and lasting relationship with God’s Word, rather than simply identifying strong reciters.
“The greatest reward is not the laptop, phone, cash or any of the prizes. It is the Word of God these young people have hidden in their hearts,” Alade said.
“Our desire is to raise a generation that will study the Word, memorise it, treasure it, declare it and, most importantly, live by it.”
Alade commended the contestants for their dedication and thanked church leaders and supporters who helped make the event successful.
He also noted that the winner received a laptop for the second consecutive year, while the runners-up received a brand-new mobile phone and cash prize (building on the tablets given to runners-up in the 2025 edition).
District Youth Coordinator Tayo Olawunmi likewise urged young people to embrace the Word of God and allow its principles to shape their character and conduct. He stressed that the true evidence of knowing Scripture is a life that reflects its values.
Special recognition
A special moment at the event was the recognition of Grace Akinmutola, winner of the 2025 edition. She was celebrated for her continued commitment to the vision of the competition and received a special cash prize.
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About the Bible Recitation Challenge
Now in its second edition, the Bible Recitation Challenge forms part of the District Youth Fellowship’s ongoing efforts to promote biblical literacy, disciplined study of Scripture, and godly living among young people.
The 2026 edition drew inspiration from 2 Timothy 2:15, which calls believers to diligently present themselves approved to God as workers who correctly handle the Word of truth.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers news, politics, current affairs, education, and technology.
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