David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, emerged as winners of the South-East edition of the campus debate over the weekend.
A final-year medical student at the university, Nnaemeka Victor, also received an N8 million scholarship from the debate sponsor, Chief Ikenna Okafor, a businessman and philanthropist.
The debate’s grand finale was held in Onitsha, with four tertiary institutions competing for first, second, and third place. The institutions were Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; College of Health Sciences, Nkpor; Paul University, Awka; and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University came third, Paul University clinched second place, and UNIZIK emerged as the overall winner, receiving a cash prize of N1 million alongside other prizes.
Meanwhile, a member of the UNIZIK team, Nnaemeka Victor, who was adjudged the best overall debater, was awarded an N8 million scholarship by the sponsor through his charity foundation, Nzekwuabuo Foundation.
Okafor said the programme aimed to teach young people to disagree with others’ points with superior arguments, instead of resorting to violence.
“We want to start a revolution by training children who can learn how to disagree amicably, children who can present superior arguments, canvass responsible ideas through their debates, and not resort to violence.
“You can see the quality of debates we have had today. The task of making Nigeria work must not be left to government or anyone alone. I’m here because I love mentoring young people. We will support these young ones to harness the talent within them for export,” he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Macclemm Marketing Communications Limited, the programme’s organiser, Chido Obidiegwu, said the event will expand to secondary schools in subsequent years.