Tinubu Commends Students That Won Trophies At International Debate Competition In Indonesia, Singapore, Dubai

… Praises PSDN, Kwara, Katsina, Benue State Governors, Others

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED

ABUJA, FCT, NIGERIA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the Nigerian students who excelled and won trophies at recent international debate competitions, held in Indonesia, Singapore, and Dubai.

Three Nigerian students – Rahmatullah Jato, Uchara Samuel and Enne Aduba, represented Nigeria at the International debate held between February and May 2024 in Indonesia, Singapore, and Dubai.

Receiving the trophies on behalf of President Tinubu, the Minister of State for Education, Hon (Dr.) Yusuf Tanko Sununu, praised brains behind the President School Debate Nigeria (PSDN) and students for their impressive performance, which brought honour to Nigeria on the global stage.

While commending State Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their unflinching support to the students and PSDN, Sununu advised the students to maintain their high standards and aim to surpass their current achievements in future competitions.

He emphasized that their accomplishments reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Nigeria.

Hon. Mohammed Usuman, Chairman Advisory Board, President School Debate Nigeria (PSDN), called on other governors in the country to support President School DebaPresidentte to further achieve the aims and objectives of its establishment.

Usman also urged individuals and private schools to invest more in educational initiatives and debate events. He highlighted the importance of partnering with the private sector to advance these goals.

Elder Dare Oritu, National Coordinator President of the School Debate Nigeria (PSDN), revealed that State Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Hyacinth Alia, who is from the students’ home state, demonstrated significant support for the PSDN initiative by covering the students’ travel expenses for competitions in Indonesia, Singapore, and Dubai.

Oritu noted that the governors also awarded scholarships to the students upon their return, gave out cash gifts to the teachers, and provided landed property to their parents as a mark of appreciation.

The PSDN National Coordinator stated further that President School Debate’s journey to international acclaim began with the preliminary competitions across Nigeria, where teams from Kwara, Benue, Taraba, and Niger States emerged victorious.

Team Benue and Katsina achieved top positions in the national debates, securing their places in the international championship.

Elder Dare Oritu explained that the programme, established over two decades ago, aims to promote peace, unity, and constructive dialogue among secondary school students.

“The debates tackle critical issues, including the challenges faced by out-of-school children in Nigeria, as directed by the Minister of Education,” Elder Oritu posited.

“Debate skills such as effective speaking, boldness, and time management were prominently displayed by students from Public Junior Secondary Schools in Kwara, Katsina, and Benue States between January and May 2024,” he added.

At the trophy presentation to the Minister of State for Education, Rahmatullah Jato expressed confidence and enthusiasm about excelling in the competition. Uchara Samuel thanked God for being recognized as the Best Speaker. Abubakar Adamu highlighted the institutional improvements that contributed to their convincing wins.

Miss Enne Aduba from UBE Girls Junior Secondary School, Benue State, described the competition as a transformative experience, motivated by the memory of her late father. She aimed to make him proud through her hard work.