Nigeria has emerged winner for the first time in the world universities debating championship, Africa qualifier, in Nairobi Kenya, since its inception in 1981.
The African qualifier tagged: Pan-African Universities championship had as contestants, University of Ghana, University of Lagos, Kwame Nkruma University, Alex Ekueme University, Stratman University, with Veritas University – Nigeria emerging victorious.
The Universities from Nigeria had emerged first, second and third at the qualifier in Uyo Akwa Ibom state earlier in the year.
The first world universities debating championship held in Glasgow in 1981 has grown to include over 400 teams from 250 universities and tertiary institutions representing over 90 countries.
The Veritas University of Nigeria will represent Africa at the Intercontinental Debate in New York scheduled for April 1 2023 and the World Universities Debate in Madrid Spain in June 2023 respectively.
The victory makes it the first time Nigeria has won the African Collegiate Debating Championship.
The University came in first place after beating more than 100 universities from different parts of Africa.
Addressing reporters in Abuja, University Vice Chancellor, Reverend Father Professor Hyacinth Ichoku said the team will now represent Africa at the Intercontinental Debate in New York on April 1 2023 and at the World Universities Debate in Madrid Spain in June 2023 respectively.
According to Ichoku, ‘winning the championship opens up a whole new set of opportunities because these students will represent Africa in the intercontinental debate that would take place in New York starting April 1 and they will also go to Madrid in Spain to represent Nigeria in the world championship of universities that will also take place in June.’
The leader of the Veritas student team in the competition champions Edwin Ochiedo said the factor behind their success was the belief and full support of the university.
‘When I said belief it meant something. Our vice chancellor wanted us to go so he believed in us more than we believed in ourselves that was enough of a push. So imagine someone who is spending the money pushing you to go there so there was something there.
“So if he can see that belief there is no reason why we can’t see it. So when we went there our job was simple and we assured him that we were going to win. The only opposition we saw was ourselves and we had no choice but to win Ocheido said.
Other members of the team are Yetunde Oshinowo, Ayanfe Amanda Tonye, and Uguru Grace.
