Abia State Governor, Alex Otti (middle) and members of the debate team.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced a cash gift of ₦1 million each to the five students who represented Abia State and Nigeria at the International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar, 2026.
The governor also announced a full education sponsorship up to university level by the Alex Otti Foundation for the captain of the Abia contingent, 15-year-old Miss Esther Christian, who lost her father at the age of four.
Otti made the announcements on Saturday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, the state capital, while hosting the victorious Abia students.
Otti also awarded ₦1 million to the winner of the recent National Essay Competition, Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School; ₦750,000 each to the officials who accompanied the debate team, and ₦1.75 million to Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham Osisioma Ngwa, which produced the champions.
Presenting their trophies, medals and certificates, 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 said, “We congratulate all of you for your outstanding performance. Celebrating outstanding achievements is part of Abia’s identity. This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you.
“We will make available a cash gift of ₦1 million each to the five of you who represented Abia State and Nigeria at the International Schools Debate Championship, Doha, Qatar, 2026.
“I have also approved your request to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition, because we believe that although considerable progress has been made in the education sector, more work remains to be done.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, said the achievements recorded so far are only the beginning and that the positive impact of the government’s efforts in education is gradually becoming evident.
He expressed confidence that investments in education would yield fruitful outcomes.
In her speech, the Chairman, Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lydia 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.
She said, “We are happy because our 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, President’s Schools Debate Championship, Oritu Dare, commended the governor for the infrastructural development in the state, noting a huge difference between his previous visits during past administrations and now.
He added that the victory has created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore.
The Abia State Coordinator, Universal Basic Education Commission, Unyime Umoette, appreciated Otti for the positive changes in the state, particularly in education, noting that public schools are becoming more functional.
She also called on public officeholders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.
Speaking on behalf of the parents of the champions, 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.
Responding, the team captain narrated their success story, thanked the governor for his commitment to education and the officials for believing in them.
She further promised that they would continue to make Abia and Nigeria proud.
The event was attended by parents of the champion team and senior members of the state government.