Otti gives N1m each to Abia debate champions

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has rewarded five students who represented Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar. Each student received N1 million.

Mr Otti announced the rewards on Saturday during a welcome ceremony at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia. The students are from Abia Model Junior Secondary School.

The team achieved four major awards: Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the junior category, Best Debater Award, and Best Leadership Award. They also won 12 medals for their individual performances.

The governor approved the team’s request to join the 2027 competition. He announced financial rewards for the school and the officials who helped the students participate.

Mr Otti said that three education officials involved in the students’ participation would receive N750,000 each. Lydia Onuoha, the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), will get N1 million.

He also approved N1.75 million for Abia Model Junior Secondary School, which produced the debating team. Additionally, Mr Otti announced another N1 million for Okonkwo Onyinyechi, the winner of the 2026 National Essay Championship.

Mr Otti also directed the Alex Otti Foundation to sponsor 15-year-old Esther Christian, the captain of the debate team. This is an exception to the foundation’s usual scholarship program for undergraduates.

“Because you lost your dad when you were four, today you have another dad. So, the Alex Otti Foundation takes over your sponsorship,” Mr Otti said.

The governor stated that this decision is different from the foundation’s regular practice. He said the girl would join the scholarship program before university.

Mr Otti congratulated the students and praised their coaches, school authorities, and other supporters. He urged the team to maintain their commitment to excellence.

He mentioned that his government is renovating public schools and improving teaching and learning facilities across the state. The governor revealed that the government has approved 21 smart schools, with two completed and handed over. A third school is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Mr Otti called on individuals, community leaders, and other stakeholders to adopt schools in their areas to help the government’s efforts. He said the government is working to send armed personnel from the Homeland Security outfit to schools to protect pupils and school property.

Earlier, Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), praised the state government’s investment in education. She was represented by Unyime Umoetti, the commission’s Abia Coordinator.

Ms Garba urged political office holders and other stakeholders to support grassroots development by visiting their communities and adopting local schools. She encouraged the students to stay focused and aim for greater achievements.

In her speech, ASUBEB chairman Ms Onuoha said the team won four trophies and 12 medals at the international championship. They competed against teams from Jordan, Pakistan, India, Kenya, and Ghana.

She noted that Chukwuemeka Akamnonu won the Best Speaker Award in the final. She added that the team’s success shows the ongoing investments in school renovations, teacher training, and free, compulsory basic education.

Christopher Akamnonu spoke on behalf of the parents of the debate team members. He thanked the government for its efforts to improve education in the state.

Mr Akamnonu said that Abia’s investment in education is changing the school system and giving students chances to excel. Speaking for the team, Miss Christian said they competed against 84 teams and 168 debaters. All five members ranked among the world’s top 10 speakers.

She thanked the governor, the team’s coach Emmanuel Chigozie, and other supporters for helping the team. She promised that the students would continue to aim for excellence.

The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates and trophies to the champions and education officials. The students also demonstrated the British Parliamentary debating format.