By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has organised a debate competition among students of tertiary institutions in the country with the aim of creating awareness on the core values of citizenship.
The competition tagged: 7-for-7 National Values Charter Campus Debate and Capacity Building Conference 2024 had its North-East Zonal final on Monday at the Conference Hall of the ASUP Secretariat, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.
At the end of the Zonal final, the pair of Hassana Musa Abubakar and Boyi Lydia Kanku of Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga emerged the North-East Zonal winners.
The pair defeated the pair of Yunusa Abdullahi Barde and Jajere of Yobe State University, Damaturu during the Zonal final of the competition organised by National Orientation Agency (NOA), held on Monday at the ASUP Secretariat, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.
At the end of the keenly contested debate final which revolved around values of good citizenship, the Panel of Judges declared the pair of Hassana Musa Abubakar and Boyi Lydia Kanku as winner with a total point of 466 while the pair of Yunusa Abdullahi Barde and Jajere scored a total of 445 points to emerge runners up.
For emerging winners, the pair of Hassana Musa Abubakar and Boyi Lydia Kanku won the prize money of N5m while the pair of Yunusa Abdullahi Barde and Jajere won N2m.
Speaking at the event, the Public Engagement executive to the Director General of NOA and Programme Coordinator Join the value Train to Campus Initiative, Tolu Meduna stressed that the essence of the debate is to sensitise students on the core values of citizenship.
She added that the programme is aimed at raising awareness and consciousness about things that must be done to make Nigerians develop and imbibe the culture of positivity in all ramifications.
According to her, “You cannot rebuild Nigeria without rebuilding Nigerians, that is the essence of this programme. We are starting among students who are the largest area of mix.”
She stressed that the main focus of NOA is on national values charter which has a dual level, from the Government and the citizens which will fashion out a better Nigeria and Nigerians.
In a reaction, the winning pair described the victory as a result of hardwork done through deep research and a lot of readings to be able to put a few points together for the competition in spite of the short time couple with the fact that they are currently writing examinations.
The pair assured that having won the ticket to represent the North-East zone at the National Finals, they will go back to do more research and readings in order to understand the topic better considering the competition will be tougher at that level.
Also reacting, the pair from Yobe State University, said that it was not easy emerging runners up but take solace in the fact that, “We are not going back to Yobe empty handed.”
Winner of the competition and sum of N5m
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.