Nigerian students wins trophies in international debate competition

By Mariam Abeeb

Junior Secondary School students from Kwara, Katsina and Benue states have won trophies for Nigeria in a foreign debate competition in Indonesia, Singapore and Dubai.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu received the trophies from the Chairman, National Advisory Board of the President’s School Debate of Nigeria, Usman Mohammad during a visit to the Minister in Abuja .
Sununu commended the giant stride and resilience of the students while urging the students to sustain the tempo.
The Minister called for the resuscitation of debate club in schools to foster excellent communication and critical thinking among the students.
“I congratulate the champions for this feat. It is always easier to win but the winning must be sustained.
“We will continue to see you throughout the regime of President Bola Tinubu. The administration of Tinubu is demonstrated in the eight point agenda of making education achievable.
“The eight point agenda is intended to priortise education with knowledge, character and skills so you must imbibe skills because if you don’t have skills to deliver, you are nothing,’’ he said.
The Minister however advised the convener of the school’s debate competition to come up with debatable topic on ways to help address the out-of-school children issues in the country.
He called on the students to serve as a role model for the numerous out-of-school children for them to see the need to return to school.
Earlier, the Chairman, National Advisory Board of the President School Debate of Nigeria, Usman Mohammad, commended state governors for sponsoring the students to leave the shores of the country for the competition.
Mohammad pleaded with well meaning Nigerians and private sectors to also come in and identify students to sponsor for such competition.
Also, Elder Dare Oritu, National Coordinator and President, School Debate, said the competition which started over 20 years ago had brought glory to the country.
He appreciated state governors for the sponsorships accorded the students both in cash and in landed properties noting that this would make the students do well in upcoming competitions.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Miss Ene Aduba, a student of UBE Girls Junior Secondary School, Benue state, thanked the ministry for the platform created to showcase their talents among nations of the world.
“My experience is a lifetime experience because I enjoyed every bit of the debate because I had to face the white and that is what I will never forget in a hurry.
“I have traveled across oceans and seas and I am very grateful for this. My motivation is my daddy because while preparing for the debate I lost him and I want to work hard to make him proud,” she said .