By: Ike Philip Abiagom
St. Augustine College has emerged winner of the 2026 Igbuzo Inter-School Debate Competition organised by the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Foundation (ONOF), in celebration of the birthday of its founder, Pastor Idowu Daniel Okeze.
The competition, which spanned three weeks, brought together about sixteen secondary schools from across Igbuzo, offering students a valuable platform to demonstrate their intellectual abilities. Participants engaged in rigorous debates, presenting persuasive arguments on various topics while showcasing critical thinking, creativity, and thorough research.
The grand finale, held amid excitement and keen anticipation, featured a closely contested debate between St. Augustine College and Omu Boys Secondary School. At the end of the intense session, St. Augustine College clinched the top position, with Omu Boys Secondary School finishing second. Prime Seeds of Abraham secured third place.
The event drew a large and enthusiastic audience of students, teachers, and community members, many of whom applauded the foundation’s commitment to promoting education and youth development in Igbuzo. Attendees described the initiative as impactful, noting its role in inspiring academic excellence and building confidence among students.
In his remarks, the Co-ordinator, Dr Pat Adigwe, who represented the founder,Pastor Idowu Okeze expressed satisfaction with the success of the programme. He stated that the debate competition, now in its second edition, is designed to discover and nurture young intellectual talents.
Dr. Adigwe emphasized that such initiatives help keep students meaningfully engaged while strengthening their communication and analytical skills. He also commended Pastor Okeze for his continued dedication to improving educational opportunities and positively impacting the lives of young people in the community.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes to the winners. St. Augustine College received a grand prize of ₦500,000, while Omu Boys Secondary School was awarded ₦300,000. Prime Seeds of Abraham went home with ₦200,000. Additionally, five outstanding participants from various schools were rewarded with books and sponsorship of their third-term school fees.
The competition ended on a joyful and inspiring note, with stakeholders calling for sustained support for educational initiatives that empower students and help shape the next generation of leaders in Igbuzo.
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