Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Laity Quiz Competition which started the parish levels on Sunday, 18th January to deanery levels on Sunday 8th of February and to Archdiocesan level on Saturday, 28th February, 2026 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Mokola, Ibadan has been won by Oke – Ado Deanery by a total of 104 marks in a strongly contested final of the competition.

The Quiz Competition that had all the eight deaneries in the Archdiocese, except Ikire Deanery in attendance also had Mokola and Oluyole Deaneries coming second and third after both deaneries went into a sub-quiz competition to decide the second and third positions having finished with 87 marks each at the end of the normal time of five sections of four questions per a deanery. The sub-quiz competition eventually gave Mokola Deanery 40 marks and Oluyole Deanery 39 marks to separate both Deaneries.

The Score Board also showed Bodija Deanery coming fourth with 85 marks; Oke-Offa Deanery, fifth with 78 marks; Igbo-Ora Deanery, sixth with 74 marks and Oke – Padi Deanery, seventh with 67 marks.

It was however, not surprising for Oke – Ado Deanery, represented by Francis Oluwabunmi Babalola, Theresa Oluwaseun Babalola, Felicity Ochanya Audu and Francis Ochayi Audu to have emerged victorious, following a brilliant performance of scoring full marks in 19 questions out of 20 questions, 3 marks (out of 5 full marks) in 1 question and 6 marks (2 marks per a question) as bonus.

It is equally good to note that all the contestants did very well in the area of Bible’s knowledge, scoring 20 full marks each at the section, while in the other sections that have to do with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Life of Carlus Acuti, Laity Manual and Church’s Current Affairs, the deaneries scored differently.

The event which started with the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by the Archdiocesan Laity Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Asawale also had in attendance Rev. Fr. Victor Ogundipe, OP; Dean of Mokola Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Wale Taiwo; Archdiocesan President of the Laity, Mr Felix Oladokun Olujide; Archdiocesan Laity PRO, Mrs Beatrice Adigun; to mention just a few.

After the accreditation of the contestants, the Archdiocesan Laity President, Mr Olujide welcomed the Laity Chaplain, Priests, Contestants and supporters from all the deaneries to the event. He also disclosed that the quiz competition, which is not a do or die affairs was part of the Laity week celebration and that 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions would attract cash prizes of N100,000; N80,000 and N60,000 respectively.

The Quiz Master, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Asawale also gave a speech, stating that the competition was to brush up our knowledge about the Church and as such, all Archdiocesan Arms of the Church ought to be in attendance to learn from the contestants (age bracket 10-18), who know better at the moment than their parents.

The Chaplain also read out the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the quiz competition after which some adjustments were made and agreed on before the quiz proper.

Earlier in his short homily during the Mass, the Chaplain had admonished all Christians to do something differently from what pagans do by loving their enemies in order to make heaven, as instructed by Christ.

Giving a vote of thanks at the end of the competition, the Archdiocesan Laity Secretary, Mr Dominic Aminu Taiwo thanked all from the Chaplain to the priests, deaneries and the contestants. He disclosed too, that presentation of the trophies and cash prizes would be done at the opening Mass for the Laity Week on 15th March, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke – Ado, Ibadan. 

Certificates of participation were also presented to all the contestants by the Dean of Mokola Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Wale Taiwo. This was followed by snapping of photographs, refreshment and closing prayer/blessing before departure to their various deaneries.

 

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