Otti rewards Abia debate champions with N1m each, scholarship

Abia State Governor Alex Otti rewarded the five students who represented Nigeria at the International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar with a cash prize of ₦1 million each. The governor also awarded a full education scholarship up to university level for 15-year-old Esther Christian, the captain of the Abia team, who lost her father at the age of four. The Alex Otti Foundation announced this scholarship during a ceremony at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, the state capital.

Otti's announcement came alongside a reward for the winner of the National Essay Competition, Onyinyechi Okonkwo, who received ₦750,000, and officials who accompanied the debate team, each receiving ₦750,000. Additionally, Otti awarded ₦1.75 million to Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham Osisioma Ngwa, for producing the debate champions.

The governor emphasized the importance of celebrating outstanding achievements, stating that Abia State takes pride in its people's success. Otti has pledged to continue investing in the state's education sector, improving infrastructure, and increasing access to quality education. He assured that the students would be supported in participating in the debate competition in Singapore in 2027.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, highlighted that the recent achievements are just the beginning, and the impact of the government's efforts in education is gradually becoming evident. The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lydia Onuoha, commended the students for their dominance in the competition, noting that they were given only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments in the final rounds.

The event was attended by parents of the champion team and senior members of the state government, who expressed their pride in the students' success.