A Law student at the University of Abuja, Ugo Ijeoma Ndianiefo, has won N1 million at this year’s Oratory Prize. Ndianiefo, from Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State also won a one-week leadership training in South Africa for his ingenuity and prowess in oratory. Over 1000 students drawn from tertiary institutions across the country contested for the prize held at Awka.
Finalists in the competition included Akwue Chisom, Ugwu Simeon, Anidebe Collins, Nwenyi Ogechi, Nweke Chioma, Nwogo Hillary, Eze Nwakuba and Akpalankwu Alexander. Others were Okou-Akirika Ginika, Mgbeoji Chikwelite, Ezennaya Faith, Placid Martins, Ozoani Chukwuebuka, Ugo Ijeoma Ndianiefo and Adierem Jennifer. At the end of the competition, Ndianiefo came first with 83.3 points, followed by Nwenyi Ogechi, Placid Martins, Eze Nwakuba and Anidebe Collins in that order.
Among the stakeholders who attended the event included the state Commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof, Chinyere Stella Okunna, Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Primary education, Lady Pat Offia.
Others were the Commander, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the state, Mr. Sule Momodu, Deputy Registrar, GSS, UNIZIK, Ngozi Bekky Adirika, Prof Ike Odumegwu, Prof Ngozi Ezeadi, Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission, Prof Chika Muo, Prof Ogo Ibeneme, state Secretary, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Nnamdi Anagor and Nollywood star, Dike Obi.
The annual contest is the brainchild of the Rev Fr (Prof) Bonachristus Umeogu and the triplets who founded VIP-Hub Media including Ekene, Chiagozie and Elochukwu Ezeumeanya.
According to Ekene Ezeumenya, the annual event was established in 2011 as a literary Insight Network (LIN), adding that it was a university-based club that frequently organised book and poetry reading sessions and reviews for its members.
However, Prof Umeogu said the debate was aimed at encouraging youths into constructive thinking that would make them take their destinies in their hands.
“We are seriously looking forward to seeing the future belonging to the youths; we also need youths who can wait and not be tired of waiting and youths with critical thinking who can solve the problems of Nigeria, thereby creating standards or values.
“Some people, especially the youths move with the crowd and hence, lose their vision, identity and point of view in life. We are seriously looking for a civilised future. “If one is a leader and doesn’t care about the person he is leading, it is doom and that is why we must all strive to build a civilised society” he said.
On her part, Prof Okunna expressed optimism that the future would be better for Nigerian youths. “I am optimistic that there is hope for Nigeria. Nigeria has great potentials but we are not utilising it. We need Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, to grow but my worry is that the SMEs may not thrive unless the power sector improves,” she added.