Anambra State has emerged winner of the 2018 President’s Inter-SUBEB debate Nigeria, (PSDN) championship held in Awka, the state capital.
The competition which focused on the Nigeria’s 58th independence anniversary, witnessed nine states-Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Imo, Katsina, Oyo and Plateau as well as the Nigeria Police participating.
Anambra defeated Benue with 4 – 1 in the final debate, while Plateau came distant third.
Godfrey Oluchukwu from Anambra State emerged the best overall speaker in the debate.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, described the debate as a platform for growing the nation’s future leaders through robust academic engagements.
Obiano, represented by the Head of Service, Mr Harry Uduh, explained that the success recorded by the state in academics is courtesy of her huge investments in the education sector.
Obiano assured that his administration would continue to accord priority to the education sector and promotion of academic excellence targeted at exposing the students to global visibility.
Expressing joy over the opportunity to host the event, the governor pledged to sustain the legacies built in the education sector by committing more funds to improve teaching and learning in the area.
Earlier, National Coordinator, President’s Schools Debate of Nigeria, Elder Dare Oritu, said the state, a three-time consecutive champion of the debate, was unanimously chosen in recognition of her consistent participation and support for the debate.
He said the hosting was one way of honouring the governor who had demonstrated unprecedented passion for education, coupled with the state’s excellent records in debates.
He said, “When you’re talking of debate in Nigeria, Anambra must be mentioned. Since inception of the program in 2001, the state has always participated.
“They’ve gone abroad three times to represent Nigeria. The current governor of the state recently received a presidential award courtesy of the programme.
“When we were deciding on the state to host the programme in the Southeast, two states – Anambra and Akwa Ibom were suggested, but Anambra was finally chosen.
Oritu however regretted the drop in the number of participants in the exercise, attributing it to the heightened security occasioned by the forthcoming elections and the festive season.
On her part, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Nwabueze Nwankwo, praised PSDN for their zeal in molding the students in the act of public speaking as well as giving them international visibility.
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, wo was also represented by the Managing Director of ABS, Nze Uche Nworah, was optimistic that the competition would help promote unity, and good communication skills among Nigerian students.
Two of the participants, Oluchukwu Godfrey and Munachi Okpara from Anambra and Imo states respectively, expressed joy for participating in the competition.
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