OKLA DEBATE COMPETITION: OGUDU SENIOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL EMERGES WINNER AS CHRISTOPHER PRECIOUS BECOMES ONE-DAY LAWMAKER

*Wins N250,000 Cash Prize

*Okla makes case for compulsory debate in schools

Ogudu Senior Grammar School has emerged as the winner of the maiden edition of Hon. Sanni Okanlawon sponsored debate competition for secondary schools in Kosofe Constituency 1 just as its representative Master Christopher Precious emerged as one-day lawmaker.

In the debate competition tagged “Hon. Okla Sponsored Kosofe Constituency 1 secondary schools debate competition” held at Immaculate Heart Hall Maryland on Wednesday, Ogudu Senior Grammar School represented by Master Christopher Precious came first ahead of other Schools which participated at the maiden edition of the competition.

A total of seven secondary schools based in Kosofe Constituency 1 took part at the final stage of competition. The schools were Ojota Senior Secondary School, Immaculate Comprehensive Secondary School, Muslim Senior College, Ifako Comprehensive, Mende Senior High School, Anthony Village Senior High School and Ogudu Senior Grammar School.

 

The competition witnessed a magnificent display of oratorical skills, critical thinking and logical presentation of arguments on the topic: “Government Should Spend More Money On Security Than Education” with contestants arguing in favour and against and at the end of the gruelling debate, Ogudu Senior Grammar School came first with 78%, Anthony Village Senior High School came second with 51% while Mende Senior High School came third with 48%.

With the outcomes, Ogudu Senior Grammar school went home with a cash prize of N250,000 while the second and third place contestants went home with cash prizes of N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.

In addition to this, Master Christopher Precious emerged as one-day lawmaker of Kosofe Constituency 1 and would be conducted round the Lagos State House of Assembly as well as having access to the official car of Hon. Sanni Okanlawon.

In his Keynote address shortly before start off of the debate, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon described the debate competition among the senior secondary school students in Kosofe Constituency 1 as another value addition to the panoply of educational developmental programmes and initiatives he had undertaken since assuming office as a lawmaker.

He stated that the main purpose for organising the debate was to develop the critical thinking ability, creativity and vocabulary prowess of students as well as boosting their self-confidence and priming them for leadership position in the future.

While appreciating the role of English Language as a medium of impartation of Knowledge in school curriculum, the House committee Chairman on Education averred that the debate competition was a veritable platform for the students to hone their oratorical skills, acquire more knowledge, facilitates exchange of ideas and also learn how to present their views logically and constructively.

He, therefore, made a strong plea for debate to be made compulsory in schools to develop the argumentative talents of students, saying this could be achieved by setting up of debate clubs with well-trained teachers.

 Also speaking at the event, the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance,  Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni while expressing delight at the debate competition, appreciated Hon. Okanlawon’s contributions to the development of Education in the Constituency through provisions of Scholarships, skills development and organization of education competitions which she noted dovetailed perfectly with the Education THEME Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Administration.

While an All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain, Alhaji Musiliu Aigoro described Hon. Okanlawon as a man than has ineffable passion for educational development of his constituency, stressing that he is a round peg in a round hole as chairman house committee on education.

And while thanking the lawmaker for organising the debate competition, he charged the contestants to take the outcomes of the contest in good fate whether favourable or not, urging them to take it as fillip to prepare effectively for subsequent contest.

Earlier, the Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of Education District II Mrs. Anike Adekanye in her welcome address lauded Hon. Okanlawon as a man with great vision, humility and passion for education development.

She made it known that the organization of the debate was a powerful statement to the fact that one can contribute to the development of education in whatever position of authority one occupies.

She opined that the debate would enable the students to express themselves confidently, rub minds together and know that someone really care for them.

The debate competition was attended by APC Party faithful, CDC/ CDA, Principals, teachers and some students of the participating schools.