Students from public Junior Secondary Schools in Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states have won trophies for Nigeria in three international debate competitions held in Indonesia, Singapore, and Dubai.
On Friday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, was presented with the trophies by Usman Mohammad, Chairman of the National Advisory Board of the President’s School Debate of Nigeria.
Dr. Sununu praised the students for their achievements and resilience, urging them to maintain their momentum. He emphasized the importance of reviving debate clubs in schools to promote excellent communication skills and critical thinking among students.
“I congratulate the champions for their feats. It is always easier to win, but the winning must be sustained. We will continue to support you throughout the administration of President Bola Tinubu, which has demonstrated a strong commitment to the education sector. The eight-point agenda is intended to prioritize education with knowledge, character, and skills,” he said.
The minister also suggested that the conveners of the school debate competition develop topics addressing the issue of out-of-school children in the country. He encouraged the students to serve as role models for these children, demonstrating the importance of education.
Usman Mohammad commended state governors for sponsoring the students to compete internationally and called on private sectors and well-meaning Nigerians to support student sponsorships for such events.
Dare Oritu, the national coordinator and president of the School Debate, noted that the competition, which started over 20 years ago, has brought glory to Nigeria. He thanked state governors for their sponsorships and rewards for the students, which include cash and landed properties, motivating them to excel in future competitions.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Ene Aduba from UBE Girls Junior Secondary School in Benue state expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase their talents globally. “My experience is a lifetime one because I enjoyed every bit of the debate. Competing with others from around the world is something I will never forget. I am very grateful for this opportunity. My motivation was my Daddy. While preparing for the debate, I lost him, and I resolved to work hard to make him proud,” she said.
The teams from the three states topped the debate competitions held between January and May 2024.
