A sociocultural and philanthropic organization, Alpha Club, OAU has partnered with the IféLaw Debate Committee in organizing the third edition of its Inter-University Debate Competition (IUDC).
The event, themed “Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships for economic development in Nigeria”, took place on Saturday, May 20th, 2023, at the Ajose Lecture Theatre, Obafemi Awolowo University.
In his opening speech, the Lord Mayor of the Alpha Club, Mayor Emmanuel Kumapayi urged all participants to incorporate togetherness in their daily life buttressing it with the quote of Helen Keller, which says; “Alone We Can Do So Little. Together We Can Do So Much.”
The Inter-University Debate Competition explored the minds and thinking faculties of debaters from four Universities; the Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Ibadan, Olabisi Onabanjo University, as well as the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, two for each.
The first lap of the competition took two rounds, with the two representatives from the Obafemi Awolowo University, facing off with representatives of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, while representatives from the University of Ibadan faced off with those of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. The topic for the argument was; “Boosting Indigenous Participation in Nigeria’s Economy by Providing Fiscal Benefits or Restricting Foreign Participation.”
At the end of both rounds, representatives from the Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan made it to the second and final lap of the competition.
The final lap of the competition was an Oratory speech which had competitors from both Varsities speak on the topic, “Travel restrictions on Nigerian Trained Medical Personnel; an Infringement on the Right to Freedom of Movement or a Protection of the Government’s Investment.” This marked the end of the competition.
With loads of excitement, mixed with a bit of tension in the faces of the competitors, as well as that of the audience, the event came to an end with a panel of Judges, headed by eloquent Monisola, announcing the Olabisi Onabanjo University as the second runner up, the University of Ibadan as the first runner up with 71points, while the Obafemi Awolowo University emerged Winner with 73points.
Barnabas Michael, one of the representatives from the University of Ibadan, emerged as the Best Speaker from the competition.