Fifteen-year-old Ifeoluwa Olaiya won Nigeria Info’s ‘I Beg to Differ’ debate tournament, earning ₦1 million. In the final, she argued against the motion on President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, citing issues of legitimacy and selective anti-corruption. Esther Joseph supported the motion by highlighting economic reforms. The event concluded with prizes awarded, and the top debaters qualified for the Tournament of Champions.
Fifteen-year-old Ifeoluwa Olaiya, a student at Wellspring College, has triumphed in the eighth edition of Nigeria Info’s “I Beg to Differ” student debate tournament. Olaiya claimed the grand prize of ₦1 million after an engaging final round where she debated against 15-year-old Hameed Olarenwaju. The competition centered around the motion: “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated he is the right leader for Nigeria.”
In her argument against the motion, Olaiya asserted that President Tinubu lacks legitimacy in the eyes of many Nigerians, citing perceptions of a flawed election despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on electoral malpractice. She criticized his leadership in ECOWAS for regional instability and pointed to selective anti-corruption efforts that target opposition figures while ignoring serious allegations against key officials like Betta Edu and Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Conversely, Esther Joseph, who also debated in the final, defended the motion by stressing President Tinubu’s economic reforms, drawing comparisons to his tenure as governor of Lagos State. She praised his administration’s investments in transportation improvements and contended that states have achieved increased economic autonomy during his leadership.
The final round included a presentation on perspectives regarding “The Nigerian Woman.” Ultimately, the judges rendered a split decision, declaring Ifeoluwa Olaiya as the tournament’s winner. Chalokwu Naomi secured the third place following Akinsulie Oyindamola’s withdrawal from the competition.
Femi Obong-Daniels, Group Manager of CoolWazobiaNigeriaInfo, with sponsorship support from Obiwezy and Diamonds and Pearls Travels, awarded cash prizes of ₦1 million, ₦500,000, and ₦250,000 for the first, second, and third places, respectively, along with additional gifts. The top four debaters will advance to the I Beg to Differ Tournament of Champions scheduled for later this year.
Ifeoluwa Olaiya’s victory at Nigeria Info’s debate tournament highlights her strong argumentative skills and critical engagement with contemporary political issues. Her perspectives on President Tinubu’s leadership resonate with broader public sentiment regarding electoral legitimacy and governance. The tournament not only showcases young talent but also emphasizes the importance of debate in fostering informed discourse among the youth.
Original Source: www.nigeriainfo.fm
