The first ever inter schools debate programme being sponsored by Sabonsalo Movement of the Honourable Member representing Nasarawa North in the National Assembly for schools in the Federal constituency has been concluded with Command Technical Secondary School, CTSS, Rinze, Akwanga emerging the over all best ahead of Baptist Academy, Wamba.
The debate with the topic: “Primary Healthcare is better left in the Hands of Federal Government than in the Hands of Local Government” had thirty five (35) schools all drawn from Nasarawa North Federal Constituency, comprised of Akwanga, Nassarawa Eggon and Wamba participated.
After the long drawn academic duel, which began sometimes on August 25, 2024, CTSS Rinze, Akwanga the opposing school coming tops with 85.5 points ahead of Baptist Academy, the prosing school, having 75.5 points.
Speaking to declare the Sabonsalo Inter schools debate open today Friday,August 30 at the Kini Country Hotel Hall, Hon Jeremiah Umaru, ACA, ACTI,said he was moved by the desire to promote learning, unity among the participating schools and students.
He also said he was motivated by the desire to also equip the students with confidence in public speaking so as to prepare them for leadership in future.
He charged on the students not to fix the eyes on the prizes but rather the lesson the debate offers in terms of promoting learning through research and building friendship and scholarship, as well as an opportunity to showcase the academy prowess to the world.
Krestnews reports that the event saw a total of thirty-five (35) secondary schools from the constituency to participating in a regimented and conducive environment where the students were camped through out the elimination stages.
Rep. Umaru expressed happiness with the organisers and the display of rare academic deligence and eloquence by the students,stressing that Nigeria’s academic future is very bright and reassuring and that it further demonstrated by how much the teachers have imparted knowledge in the young impression, urging that the quality should not only be sustained but push a notch higher
He emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of critical thinking and debate among students, highlighting its role in shaping future leaders and problem-solving.
The Honourable Member used the occasion to encourage the students to see the Inter-school debate as a platform to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and fine tuned their communication skills.
While appreciating the Sabonsalo team which is also overseeing the SabonSalo Scholarship Programme, Nurses, teachers, and the teens leadership camp facilitators for their excellence, he announced that going forward, the Inter schools debate has become an annual event.
He said the programme achieved success because all those in the organising the event made sacrifices and demonstrated in practical terms true sense of leadership which is exemplified by sacrifice and the passion to make impact.
Cash prizes and brand-new laptops were presented winners, individuals as well as participating schools in the constituency to further motivate them for excellence in the future.
For individual prizes, the best speaker got a new laptop and ₦500,000; a laptop and ₦250,000 for runner-up and laptop and ₦150,000 for 2nd runner-up.
For schools, the overall best school, CTSS, Rinze, Akwanga smiled home with ₦1 million, 5 laptops and educational materials; while ₦700,000, 3 laptops and educational materials were presented to the runner-up and ₦500,000, 2 laptops and educational materials for the 2nd runner-up while other participating schools got ₦200,000 and educational materials as consolation prizes.
Goodwill messages were received from from Hon Hassan Abubakar NaLaraba, who is the current National Assembly member representing Keana, Doma and Awe Federal Constituency as well as Hon Larry Ven-Bawa Member Nasarawa State Assembly, Moses McDaniel, a business tycoon who made personal donations to support the programme while the representative of the Akwanga Local Government who called for partnership going further in the future.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Hon. Hassan Abubakar NaLaraba said he was pleased with the contribution his colleague in the National Assembly was doing and declared his intention to replicate the programme, not just in his constituency but throughout the Nasarawa South Senatorial District.
The National lawmaker, also held that given the huge financial burden placed o no local government authorities, it would have been far better to place the burden on the federal government, calling support and collaboration to promote learning and quality health and education.
The leading speakers from the two schools while speaking in an interview, expressed gratitude to Honourable for the opportunity to deepen their knowledge not just during the debates but in the camp, she said.
The particularly mention leadership skills and value, ICT and communication skills, saying lessons learned will help them navigate through life going forward.