By Bilesanmi Abayomi
On May 10, the Lagos Debate Competition, organized by LGNA International in partnership with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria, saw an impressive turnout of 1017 public primary schools in the preliminary rounds held across various LGAs in Lagos state.
The competition featured a range of thought-provoking topics for debate, including the proposition that Nigeria is not yet ready for a female President, whether kidnappers and ritualists deserve the death penalty, whether only Nigerian leaders who fought for the country’s independence should have national landmarks named after them, and the assertion that Nigeria’s security system is porous. Additionally, the participants explored the idea of adopting Irish culture and traditions in Nigeria.
Expressing his gratitude, Tunde Jakande, the CEO of LGNA International, acknowledged the efforts of the pupils and the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria. He commended their exceptional performances and praised the collaborative platform created by the Academy and its partners, particularly the Embassy of Ireland, for making the competition a resounding success.
Looking ahead, LGNA International announced that the second round of the debate would take place at designated locations on May 17 for the quarter-finals, May 22 for the semi-finals, and the final round would be held on June 27.
The Lagos Debate Competition not only provides a platform for young minds to express their opinions on crucial issues but also promotes critical thinking, public speaking skills, and cultural exchange among the participating schools. As the competition progresses, the anticipation for the forthcoming rounds grows, promising further engaging and insightful debates among the talented pupils of Lagos state.
Listen to why a little boy said Nigeria is ripe for a female President