Government Girls Secondary School, Finima (GGSSF) in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State has emerged winners in the 5th edition of the YESI Inter-School Debate Competition 2024, sweeping the first prize as well as other categories.

The winners, who were trailed by Lucille Education Centre, Bonny and St. Patrick’s School, Finima as first and second runners-up, went home with the star prize of a cheque of N150,000, a plaque and other gifts.

The first runner-up, Lucille Education Centre, was awarded N100,000 and also went home with a plaque and gifts, while the second runner-up, St Patrick’s School, Finima, went home with N50,000, a plaque and gifts. 

Flourish Victor of Government Girls Secondary School, Finima, emerged Best Speaker and was awarded the sum of N50,000, while the second Best Speaker, Ivana Edun of St. Patrick’s School, Finima, went home with N25,000.

Chairman of the YESI Board of Trustees, Mark Brown said the debate competition was an avenue for the students to express themselves and display their talents thus boosting their confidence and unraveling their potentials.

“Today is the grand finale of our 5th edition annual debate competition for secondary schools within Bonny island. This has been an opportunity for us to just give our teeming students for them to express their hidden talents and this platform has just given them the opportunity to just showcase that innate confidence and potential they have within them.”

“It’s been an awesome experience listening to the children and also for them. It’s also an opportunity for me to just learn new ideas and concepts that are out there, and this I believe has impacted the children and also strengthen their capacities to speak for themselves, express themselves and build their personal confidence.”

The keynote speaker and Chief Medical Director of the NLNG RA Hospital, Samuel Gara described the debate as “quite interesting”, acknowledging the passion and scholarship of the participating students, while applauding the organizers for putting the programme together.  

“…the YESI youths program has been quite interesting. You can see the energy and, well, vast research topics from the participants: the students. Excellent presentation, both from the proponents and opponents of the motion.”

“…and what they’ve done so far, made everyone think about how we use technology today, whether positively or negatively, so that society will be better. So, it’s excellent.”

“I want to congratulate all those that organized and all those who have participated. All those that supported in one way or the other. This is the way we should go by building the current generation.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has indicated that it would partner with the Youth Education Support Initiative (YESI) to drive youth development programmes in Bonny, Rivers State, saying that the initiative will ensure that youths are meaningfully engaged in growth processes that would prepare them for a positive future.

In an interview with Kristina Reports, Chairman of the NSE Bonny Branch, Osondu Opara commended YESI for organizing the annual debate contest, which he described as “very intensive and competitive”, noting that such programmes help the youths to focus on relevant things that would support their growth and success in life.

“Talking about artificial intelligence, I must say that I really enjoyed myself, there is a lot to learn. At the end of the day we saw the best performing schools come first, second and third, and, of course, all of them did well.

“I must say that this is a program that must continue and the NSE Bonny Branch will continue to partner with this group on this program. There is so much to do.”

“Not just on the debate aspect but we will also look in to the engineering and science aspect in the future to support children who are doing the sciences and who wish to do engineering to bring out their potentials, come out with their best and improve with what they are doing and this will help our society instead of getting the children focusing on irrelevances.”

“We want to get them to be focused on things that will be relevant and will add value to their lives. I think it is a very wonderful program and I want to congratulate YESI for this initiative.”

Speaking, Chairman of Finima Youth Congress (FYC), Shedrack Brown harped on the essence of education, pointing out to the students that himself and other adults are succeeding in their various fields of endeavour because of education, noting that it is on this premise that the FYC is partnering with YESI for the debate.

“An ancient philosopher would say that the roots of education, not the root of education, is bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Indeed, some of us are where we are today as a result of education. So, whatever we see that would help and then make the students strive more in attaining excellence in education, we support.”

“Firstly, I will give kudos to YESI. You know what is happening today by God’s grace will go global one day. The vision is clear and that is why ever since we got into office we continually partnering with YESI in ensuring this holds every year.

“This year we said okay let’s expand the relationship, let’s expand the partnership by having this year’s debate in collaboration with you, and I must tell you that even though we leave office we will also ensure we sell this idea of partnership to those who will succeed us.”

“Growing up as a child I have always believed that education is key. That is why any opportunity I have I ensure that I support education.”  

On her part, Secretary of the YESI Board of Trustees, Ijeoma Omeoga stated that the goal o the debate competition is to encourage students develop their public speaking and information sharing skills, saying that these would help them do research, boldly express themselves, adding that to achieve this, YESI engaged an elocutionist to educate the students on public speaking.  

“We decided to celebrate it this way, just to mark our fifth year of encouraging students in their public speaking skills and sharing information that pertains to life, generally- both as students and as people who live in communities and experience life.”

“So, one thing I particularly like about this is that it encourages students to speak up, do research, and boldly express their opinions. This year, we decided to bring in an elocution specialist to educate the students on how to do public speaking properly. I think this added something special to the event, because we saw it in the students’ preparation – they were calm, and it was easier for us to hear their points.”

In her remarks, Chairperson of the YESI Debate Planning Committee, Dr. Sandra Success-Olaobaju expressed delight in being part of a programme that, according to her, represents excellence and has been churning out great public speakers and positively impacting the lives of students.   

“I’m so excited today, having been the chairperson planning this event. This event has grown into a hallmark of excellence, inspiring great public speakers and articulate communicators, and I am happy to be a part of making an impact in the lives of students.”

“One of our major goals is not just to raise or develop debaters, but also to train our young people to have the skill to be able to question and analyze issues, especially as they concern our society. Our topic today is: ‘Artificial Intelligence, Is It a Threat to Society?’ And the students have done great justice to this topic.”

“On behalf of the YESI Organizing Committee, I want to thank everyone – all our sponsors, our volunteers – for all they have done. See you same time next year for another edition of YESI Debate. Thank you.”

Dr. Olaobaju expressed the appreciation of YESI to the partners and sponsors including the NLNG Cooperative, RA Christian Sisters Fellowship, Rotary Club, NLNG Christian Fellowship, among several others, asserting that their contributions remain invaluable and indelible.  

Several other participants who spoke with Kristina Reports commended the Youth Education Support Initiative (YESI) for contemplating such a unique, egalitarian and social beneficial programme, which according to them, has enriched the academic capabilities of students in Bonny LGA.