15-year-old Deborah Ajike Joseph of Wellspring College and 13-year-old Emmanuel Afolarin Busari of Ifako International Secondary School, are the latest quarterfinalists in the Nigeria Info ‘I Beg To Differ’ student debate tournament.
The first debate session began with Deborah Ajike Joseph and 15-year-old Stephen Harry debating the topic: 'Voting Should Be Mandatory.'
Deborah, the motion's supporter and winner of the first debate session, extensively argued that "voting is a civic responsibility and should be considered mandatory in fulfilment of democratic principles.
Nevertheless, her opponent Stephen argued that compelling people to vote will undoubtedly lead to authoritarianism. He added that individuals should be allowed to determine for themselves if at all they desire to exercise their franchise.
The second debate session saw 13-year-old Emmanuel Afolarin Busari defeating his opponent 15-year-old Chidinma Omanufeme Oghenefegor by a wide margin after debating the topic: 'Parents Should Be Punished For Their Underaged Children’s Crimes.'
In his view, Emmanuel explained that holding children accountable for their crimes will make them more responsible in the future.
He added that parents have done their parts in raising a child and hence it is the choice of the child to adopt the directions of their parents or not to.
On her part, Chidinma insists that the responsibility of an underage child falls on the parents of that child.
She said punishing the parents will indeed jolt them to do better raising their children.
The 'Round of 16' debates continues at 4pm on Thursday.
