From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti has awarded ₦1m each to the five students from Abia State who represented Nigeria and won laurels at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship, held in Doha, Qatar.
The governor also announced a full education sponsorship up to university level by the Alex Otti Foundation for the captain of the contingent, 15-year-old Miss Esther Christian, who lost her father at the age of four.
Governor Otti, who made the announcements at the weekend in Umuahia while hosting the victorious Abia students, equally gifted ₦1m to Miss Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School, winner of the recent National Essay Competition.
The governor also gave ₦750,000 each to the officials who accompanied the debate team, and ₦1.75 million to Abia Junior Model Secondary School, Umuahia, which produced the champions.
Presenting laurels the team won, which included trophies, medals and certificates, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s determination to transform the state’s education sector through sustained investment, improved infrastructure and increased access to quality education.
He congratulated the students for their exploits, saying celebrating outstanding achievements was part of Abia’s identity.
“This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you,” Governor Otti stated.
The governor approved the students’ request to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition, noting that although considerable progress has been made in the education sector, more work remains to be done.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, said the achievements recorded so far were only the beginning and that the positive impact of the government’s efforts in education was gradually becoming evident.
He expressed confidence that investments in education would yield more fruitful outcomes.
The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Lydia Ezinne Onuoha, who led the team to the international competition, said the students did not just participate but dominated and became the centre of attraction.
She disclosed that during the five final rounds, the students were given impromptu topics with only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments. The team won four trophies and twelve medals, defeating six countries.
According to her, the team clinched the Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Debater and Best Leadership awards. They also ranked among the top ten speakers in the tournament, which featured over 84 teams.
The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, Oritu Dare, commended Governor Otti for the infrastructural development in the state.
He said the victory has created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore.
Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs Unyime Umoette, appreciated Governor Otti for the positive changes in the state, particularly in education, noting that public schools are becoming more functional.
She called on public office holders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.
Speaking on behalf of parents of the champions, Mr Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for hosting the students and for his investment in education, saying that they are proud of their success at an international competition.
The team captain, Miss Esther Christian, narrated their success story, thanked the governor for his commitment to education and the officials for believing in them, and promised that they would continue to make Abia and Nigeria proud.
She requested the governor’s approval for their participation in next year’s edition of the competition.
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