Fifteen-year-old Irewole Busayo of Wisdom Gate High School emerged as the winner of the third edition of the ‘I Beg To Differ’ debate tournament on 92.3 Nigeria Info FM in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Miss Busayo, glad to have climbed through the rounds, received a million naira cash prize. At the same time,Emerald Handsome of Jesus Offspring Model International School, the second-place winner, was awarded N500,000. Okey-Orji Delight of the Threshold College secured the third position and received N250,000. The15-year-old winner appreciated Nigeria Info, the organizers of the debate, and those who contributed to her success in the tournament. Let's take you back to how it all started.
Navigating the Rounds
The tournament began on 26 February 2024 with Ejekwu Tovia of Emminentville School and Kalu Chinaza Sapphire from Royalville High School debating “Cultism in Schools is a Result of Parental Failure.” Following a spirited debate, Miss Tovia emerged as the winner, advancing to the quarter-final.
In another heated debate, Bestman Praise of Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, faced off against Irewole Busayo from Wisdom Gate High School on the topic, “School Feeding Programs Contribute to Children’s Education.” Miss Busayo's compelling arguments secured her victory and a spot in the quarter-final.
The next debaters, Okey-Orji Delight of the Threshold College and Anyalebechi Sarah of Venocrest School,debated the topic, “Religious Rights Are Too Excessive in Nigeria.” Miss Delight, who supported the motion,won the debate and qualified for the quarter-final.
Ikediasor Uche of Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, fought his way through to the quarter-final, when he debated Sotonye Noble of Federal Government College, Port Harcourt on the topic, “Junk Food Should Be Banned in Nigerian Schools.”
The search for the next set of quarter-finalists continued as Anyalebechi Doreen of Hadassah High School and Ebibokefie Megan of the Threshold International School debated the topic "Students Should Be Allowed To Choose Their Subjects in School.” Miss Megan, who opposed the motion, recorded higher points that helped her secure a spot in the quarter-final.
Vincent Joy of Charles Dale Memorial International School and Atsosioya Miracle of Jesus Offspring Model International School also debated the topic, “Our Primary Healthcare System Effectively Meets Citizen’s Health Needs.” After consideration by the panel of judges, Miss Atsosioya joined Megan in the quarter-final.
To occupy the last two spots in the quarter-final, Tracy Young and Victor Favor of Jesus Offspring Model International School debated the topic, "Is Free Education In Nigeria Truly Free?” Miss Favour qualified and obtained one of the spots. For the last quarterfinal spot, Emerald Handsome and Bassey Miracle of Jesus Offspring Model International School debated on the topic, “Children Should Have A Say In Family Decisions.” After a fiercely contested debate, Miss Handsome made it to the quarter-final.
Fighting for a Spot in the Semi-Final
With eight students left in the tournament, Ejekwu Tovia had to debate Irewole Busayo on the topic, “Elections are no Longer Relevant in Today’s World of Digital Technology.” Miss Busayo presented strong points that knocked Tovia out of the tournament and gave her a spot in the Semi-Final. Also, Okey Orji Delight debated Ikediasor Uche on the topic, “18-year-old Children Should be Allowed to Choose their Religious Affiliations.” The judges declared Delight the winner, and she advanced to the Semi-final.
Atsosiaya Miracle and Megan Ebibokefie debated the topic, “School Uniforms are an Irrelevant Part of OurSchool System in Nigeria.” After presenting their points, Megan’s presentation topped Miracle’s, and she advanced to the semifinal. Handsome Emirald faced Victor Favor on the topic, “Online Education is Better Than Classroom Education.” The debate was tough, but a winner had to emerge, so Handsome won. This brought the number of those in the tournament to four.
The Road to the Final
Irewole Busayo debated fiercely with Okey-Orji Delight on the topic, “Public Universities Should be Tuition-free in Nigeria.” She defeated Delight and secured the first spot in the final. On the other hand, Handsome Emerald also defeated Ebibookefie Meghan when they debated the topic, “Poverty is not a Solvable Problem in Nigeria.”
Irewole Busayo and Emirald Handsome had to clash for a shot at N1 million and a chance to represent the region at the national contest in Lagos. They had two rounds of debate on the topics, “State Policing will Reduce the Level of Insecurity in Nigeria”, and “Promoting Gender Equality has Destroyed our Cultural Heritage.” After both rounds, Irewole Busayo came first place, while Emerald came second.
Delight also had to debate Meghan on the topic, “Mixed schools are better than same-sex schools.” After the debate, Delight secured the third position in the tournament. The debaters were assessed by an incorruptible panel of judges made up of broadcasters.
I Beg to Differ: What You Need to Know
This unique competition fosters educational development by sparking discussions on pressing socio-economic issues among Nigerian teenagers. It has produced winners in the past two editions held in Port Harcourt. This third edition was sponsored by Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State. Hundreds of students aged 13-17 from Rivers State submitted applications, eager to showcase their critical thinking and debating skills. Out of these applications, 16 students were selected for the tournament. The debate aired at 11 am on the show, “Hello PORT HARCOURT” and was hosted by Nigeria Info’s On-Air-Personality, Jude Omamegbe.
The ‘I Beg to Differ’ debate tournament, which streamed across Nigeria Info PH 92.3’s social media platforms, promotes intellectual discourse and academic excellence among Nigerian youths. Irewole Busayo willrepresent the Port Harcourt region at the national contest in Lagos State.
