By Bilesanmi Abayomi
In a remarkable display of talent and eloquence, Orile Agege Primary School emerged victorious in the highly anticipated finals of the Lagos State Public Primary School debate competition. The event, hosted by the Lagos Global News Agency (LGNA), witnessed a riveting clash of ideas as debaters from various schools battled for the top spot.
The debate centered around the motion that the positive aspects of Irish culture are worth adopting. Orile Agege Primary School’s debaters, led by the charismatic Habeeb Ridwan, passionately argued that embracing cultural diversity has been a driving force behind the success of many developed nations. Ridwan emphasized the shared values between Ireland and Nigeria, highlighting the importance of strong family ties, friendliness, and welcoming nature that both countries possess. The team also pointed out Ireland’s economic prowess and its transformation from a farming nation to a global tech hub, proposing that Nigeria can learn from the Irish model.
On the opposing side, St. Francis Primary School from Kosofe Local Government argued that Nigeria’s rich and diverse culture is sufficient and that a country with a significant population like Nigeria should not look to a relatively small nation like Ireland for inspiration. John Daniel, the team leader, emphasized Nigeria’s position as a growing economic powerhouse and Lagos State’s prominent standing in Africa’s economic landscape.
The debate captivated the audience, leaving them in awe of the remarkable display of intelligence and eloquence by these young debaters. The panel of judges, comprised of distinguished personalities including His Excellency Ambassador Peter Ryan, Ambassador of Ireland in Nigeria, and other notable figures, had the difficult task of selecting the winner.
After careful consideration of each team’s points, eloquence, confidence, and overall performance, Orile Agege Primary School emerged as the undisputed winner. The victory is particularly significant, considering that 1,017 public primary schools initially participated in the competition.
African Church Primary School from Alimosho Council area secured the third position after triumphing over Monsuru Agorio Primary School from the Oshodi Isolo Council area. Their argument focused on the importance of encouraging Nigerian skilled workers to seek opportunities in developed countries, emphasizing that no nation can exist in isolation and that every society benefits from the expertise of others.
His Excellency Ambassador Peter Ryan commended the students for their outstanding performances and encouraged them to continue expanding their knowledge, enhancing their confidence, and honing their presentation skills. He expressed the Embassy of Ireland’s willingness to explore further collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
To recognize the achievements of the participants, the Embassy of Ireland presented medals and books to the pupils, while LGNA International, the sponsor of the program, donated laptop computers to the top three finalists. The Chairman of the State Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Honorable Wahab Alawiye-King, expressed his admiration for the students’ performances and thanked LGNA for organizing and executing the competition.
Mr. Tunde Jakande, the Chief Executive Officer of LGNA International, shared his motivation behind hosting the event, highlighting the importance of driving initiatives that contribute positively to the education system rather than solely criticizing the government.
Click on this Facebook to Watch Open Remarks by Agege led Debaters