The Government Day Secondary School, Karu, has been crowned the overall winner of the Abuja Season 3 grand finale of the "I Beg to Differ" debate competition. The school took home a cash prize of N3 million. Organised by Nigeria Info FM Abuja, the competition aimed to showcase critical thinking, public speaking, and civic engagement among secondary school students in Nigeria.
The competition, which has been deemed impactful and innovative, introduced a school-based format to deepen participation. This format allowed schools to have a stake in the debate, a departure from previous editions that focused on individual students. The Programme Manager of Nigeria Info FM Abuja, Swat Duniah-Adalumo, praised the organisers for their efforts in grooming young talents intellectually.
The Chief Executive Officer of KIRA, Obiechina Emmanuel, also spoke at the event, stating that the organisation sponsored the initiative to encourage young Nigerians to embrace debating and STEM-related pursuits. He expressed his satisfaction with the competition and congratulated the winners and participants.
Government Day Secondary School, Karu, was overjoyed with their victory, with Majesty Joseph expressing gratitude to the organisers for their rigorous preparation. The school has set its sights on the Lagos stage, where they are confident of emerging victorious.
The "I Beg to Differ" debate competition has once again highlighted the need for critical thinking and civic engagement among Nigeria's youth. The organisers' decision to introduce a school-based format has shown promise in deepening participation. However, it is crucial that this momentum is sustained, and schools are equipped with the necessary resources to nurture this talent. The N3 million prize money awarded to Government Day Secondary School, Karu, is a significant incentive, but it is equally important to consider the long-term benefits of such initiatives. By promoting debating and STEM-related pursuits, we can equip our youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive innovation and progress in Nigeria.
