By Simeon OSAJIE
Eghosa Anglican Grammar School (EAGS), Benin City, in Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State has emerged winner of the 2025 Dr. Osahon Enabulele Foundation Inter-school Debate Competition.
The Inter-school debate competition is the brainchild of ex-World Medical Association (WMA) and Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele Foundation (DOEF).
The grand finale of the Inter-school debate competition which took place at John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) Hall at Commercial Avenue, GRA., Benin, featured ten schools from across the three senatorial districts of the state was filled with thrills and frills from start to finish as spectators were held spellbound by the contestants’ mastery of their subject matter, presentation and masterful delivery.
At the end of the competition, Eghosa Anglican Grammar School emerged champion and went home with the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) plus a giant trophy while first runner up – Idia College Benin got the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) while the second runner up – Annunciation Catholic College (ACC), Irrua received the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00).
The contesting schools were from Edo South – Idia College; St Maria Gorretti College; St Michael’s College and Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, from Edo North were Fugar Mixed Secondary School; Uzebba Grammar School and Holy Trinity Grammar School, while from Edo Central were Annunciation Catholic College (ACC), Irrua; Igueben Grammar School and Timzy International Educational Centre.
All participants were presented with Certificate of Participation, books and other sundry items with the outstanding speakers going home with cash prizes ranging from between ₦100,000 and ₦200,000.
Earlier in his welcome address, the founder of the 2025 Dr. Osahon Enabulele Foundation Debate Competition, Dr. Osahon Enabulele stated that the foundation was launched on the 29th of January, 2025 noting that the foundation‘s strategic trusts include leadership and governance, health, education, policy advocacy and social philanthropy.
Dr. Enabulele said that the competition is a flagship initiative under the Education Strategic Thrust noting that the debate is totally driven by the Foundation as a deliberate interventionist initiative that seeks to reverse the worrisome negative narrative about education, particularly amongst our upcoming generations, including our youths who are increasingly becoming victims of our society’s defective role modelling and unfortunate reward for individuals with very questionable sources of wealth, with leadership and societal positions.
According to him, “Our younger ones are truly becoming disillusioned as a result of these inanities. Some no longer think it is worthwhile to acquire education or task their brains in any way.
“This debate initiative is therefore our Foundation’s committed efforts to contribute to the reversal of this worrisome trend and mindset affliction.
”The debate methodology we deployed is novel and involved the entire state with participation of schools and students from all the local government areas of the state.
“Through the debate initiative, the Foundation aims to develop soft skills for cognitive and educational advancement amongst the students, promote academic excellence, develop critical thinking and argumentation skills, encourage civic engagement and leadership and hone skills for research, public speaking, assertive skills and intellectual reasoning among secondary school students.”
The past President of World Medical Association disclosed that since the commencement of the event, the competition has engaged hundreds of students across the 18 local government areas of Edo State and provided a platform for students to showcase their talents.
“So far, the 2025 edition has reached 3 Senatorial Districts, 18 LGAs, 52 schools, 179 Speakers/Contestants, 83 Teachers and 386 students in participation. Over 309 awards/certificates have been presented.
“The competition has continued to nurture future leaders and scholars, with emerging Winners presented with awards and recognition, while participants benefit from networking opportunities and skill development,” he added.