UMUAHIA, NIGERIA – Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced a cash reward of ₦1 million each for five students who represented the state and Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.
The governor also approved a full education sponsorship up to university level for the team captain, 15-year-old Esther Christian, through the Alex Otti Foundation. Christian reportedly lost her father when she was four years old.
Otti announced the rewards on Saturday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, the state capital, while hosting the students following their performance at the international competition.
He also awarded ₦1 million to Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School, winner of the recent National Essay Competition, and ₦750,000 each to the officials who accompanied the debate team.
In addition, Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham, Osisioma Ngwa, which produced the debate champions, received ₦1.75 million.
The governor presented the students with their trophies, medals and certificates, using the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to improving education through sustained investment, better infrastructure and wider access to quality learning.
Otti Approves Rewards, Sponsorship for Students
Congratulating the students, Otti said recognising outstanding achievements was an important part of the state’s identity and a way of encouraging young people to pursue excellence.
“We congratulate all of you for your outstanding performance. Celebrating outstanding achievements is part of Abia’s identity. This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you,” he said.
The governor confirmed that each of the five students who represented Abia and Nigeria at the competition would receive ₦1 million.
He also said he had approved the team’s request to participate in the 2027 edition of the championship.
“I have also approved your request to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition, because we believe that although considerable progress has been made in the education sector, more work remains to be done,” Otti said.
The announcement of the education sponsorship for Christian adds a long-term support component to the recognition, potentially helping her continue her education beyond secondary school.
The additional rewards for the accompanying officials and the school also extend the recognition beyond the students to those involved in preparing and supporting the team.
Abia Team Wins Four Trophies, 12 Medals
The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lydia Onuoha, who led the delegation to Qatar, said the students distinguished themselves during the competition.
She disclosed that the team faced impromptu topics during five final rounds, with only 15 minutes to prepare and present their arguments.
According to Onuoha, the students won four trophies and 12 medals after competing against teams from six countries.
She said the team received awards for Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Debater and Best Leadership.
The students also ranked among the top 10 speakers in the tournament, which featured more than 84 teams, she added.
Onuoha said the performance demonstrated the students’ ability to prepare arguments and respond to challenging topics under pressure.
The competition provided an international platform for the students to demonstrate their debating skills and represent both Abia State and Nigeria.
Education Officials Highlight Progress
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, described the students’ achievements as an indication of the potential benefits of sustained investment in education.
He said the progress recorded so far was only the beginning and expressed confidence that the government’s efforts would produce further positive outcomes.
The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Unyime Umoette, also commended the governor for what she described as positive changes in the state, particularly in education.
She said public schools were becoming more functional and called on public officeholders to adopt schools in their communities and support their development.
Oritu Dare, Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, praised the governor’s infrastructure development efforts, saying his experience of visiting the state under previous administrations differed significantly from what he observed during his latest visit.
He added that the team’s victory had created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the international competition, scheduled to take place in Singapore.
Parents, Students Appreciate Government Support
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for hosting the students and investing in education. He said the parents were proud of the team’s achievement on the international stage.
Responding, team captain Christian recounted the students’ success and expressed appreciation to the governor for his commitment to education and to the officials who supported and believed in the team.
She promised that the students would continue working to make Abia State and Nigeria proud.
The event was attended by parents of the students and senior state government officials.
The rewards and proposed participation in the 2027 championship mark the state government’s recognition of the students’ achievement.
The broader impact of the initiative will depend on sustained support for public education, opportunities for academic development and continued investment in programmes that help students build their skills.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
