400-Level Mass Communication Student Wins ₦200,000 at Akogun Isiaq Ajibola Students’ Debate
By Taoheed Hassan
A 400-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lafia, Miss Ibiteye Precious, has emerged winner of the 2025 Akogun Isiaq Ajibola Students’ Debate Competition, held today at the Ife-Olukotun Community Centre, Kogi State.
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The annual debate, which has been running for over a decade, has grown into one of the most prominent intellectual and youth-development programmes in Ife-Olukotun and its environs. The 2025 edition is co-sponsored by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Miss Ibiteye Precious went home with the star prize of ₦200,000 cash, while a ₦100,000 cash consolation prize was also provided by the sponsor.
In addition, Alhaji Isiaka Obaro, who attended the event and expressed admiration for the high quality of the debate, gifted ₦20,000 each to the six finalists, amounting to ₦120,000.
Other consolation prizes included textbooks, exercise books, and value-orientation materials donated by the National Orientation Agency.
The debate topic, “Government should prioritise startup support over civil service jobs for youths” (Yes or No), was keenly contested, with three debaters speaking in the affirmative and three opposing the motion.
Earlier, eight candidates participated in a pre-debate round on the topic “The ‘Japa Syndrome’ is a greater threat to Nigeria’s development than unemployment” (Yes or No). Two candidates were eliminated at that stage, leaving six finalists who competed in the main debate.
Later in the day, the winning debater was formally presented to the sponsor, HRH Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola, the Akogun of Ife-Olukotun, by Comrade Ahmed Ibrahim and Taoheed Hassan.
During the presentation, the winner received her cash prize, while the consolation prizes were handed over to the organising committee for disbursement.
The event attracted a wide range of dignitaries, including royal fathers, academics, technocrats, and community leaders. Notable attendees included Chief Fatai Adeboye; Alhaji Tunde Sulaiman; the Principals of Wesley High School and JNI School; Mallam Hassan Moshood; Hon. S.T. Awolo; Hon. Sunday Lawal; and Alhaji Isiaka Obaro, among others.
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 30TH 2025)
