Beyond winning the first position prize for her school, African Church Model College, Chiamaka Nwarueze, was the overall best speaker in an inter-schools debate organised by Silverlining Concepts, an education consulting firm.
The inter-schools debate themed: ‘Addressing the emerging culture of violence and democratic challenges in Africa; what role for the youth?’ was held at Edify City Events Centre, Aguda, Lagos State.
Among the three schools involved, Triplecross High School, Wempco Road, had 1,223 points, Normal City College, Ogba bagged 1,110 points and African Church Model College, Ifako-Ijaiye won with 1,371 points. According to the organiser, the schools were randomly selected across Ogba/Ifako Ijaiye axis.
Chiamaka, an SS2 pupil, was identified as the overall best speaker in the debate, based on her delivery, composure and fluency.
The 14-year-old first time debater’s face had mixed emotions of surprise and excitement as she was called out for her award and prize.
The youngest of her parents’ four girls, Chiamaka said she scaled many odds to be part of the competition.
“I did not see this coming,” she told this reporter. “This is my first time debating outside my school. I joined the Great Debaters of my school some time last year but unfortunately, there were no competitions outside school. We got our scripts only two days ago and it was really voluminous, so I thought I could not do it and I wanted to back out of the competition. But the coordinator of our club, Mr Aganga, inspired me to do it and here we are today. I’m really grateful to God. I really gave up a lot for this competition.”
She admitted to have achieved the feat through support from friends and teachers, urging her contemporaries not to give up.
Chiamaka also expressed high aspirations for her future and the country.
She said: “I want to become a chemical or petroleum engineer in future, because I have an interest in technicality more than creativity. I also want to be a philanthropist, which would require a lot of public speaking so I think I would have a lot to do in the public speaking circuit.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the event, Oluomo Gbenga Owolabi, advised government on the right way to empower youths.
He said: “Any government that is serious about youth development should give 50 per cent of its annual budget towards youth-related activities which are: education, training, ICT Information and Communications Technology), sports and others. When you have an engaging mind, nobody will invite you to perpetrate violence,” said Owolabi who is also the former chairman, Ife East Local Government in Osun State
Also speaking, Creative Director of Silverlining Concepts, Mrs Oluwakemi Adekomi, said the debate was to show youths the essence of peaceful resolution of conflicts.
She said: “I would charge the youths to always say no to negative vices and be firm on it. They should not allow ats to use them to commit various crimes. As a matter of fact, simply advising children would be committing the crimes ourselves. Children learn better by emulation from adults. So when they see that we adults are always looking for alternative means of resolving disputes rather than violence, they would emulate. It is not just about sermonising or reading Bible to them, but acting it out ourselves.”