Abuja, Nigeria – Team Nigerian Army, comprising students from Command Schools, emerged as the winners of the highly anticipated 2023 President’s Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship. The annual event, held in collaboration with the National Senior Secondary School Education Commission, took place at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, and witnessed the participation of eminent personalities from across Nigeria. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Nigeria First Lady, served as the Patron of the event, with Hon. Muhammad Usman as Chairman, Pauline Tallen as Vice Chairman, and Prof. Modupe Adelabu in attendance.
Out of the six schools that made it to the final, including Team Anambra, Team Osun, Team Nasarrawa, Team Niger, Team Nigerian Police (Command Schools), and Team Nigerian Army, it was Team Nigerian Army that clinched the coveted first position. Team Nigerian Police secured third place, while Team Anambra took the second position.
Major AY Lawal, the Team Leader of the Command Schools, expressed his pride in the outstanding capabilities exhibited by the students from the Nigerian Army Command Schools. He credited their victory to their exceptional critical thinking, persuasive arguments, and eloquent delivery, which captivated both the judges and the audience. Their passion for knowledge, articulate communication skills, and unwavering commitment to excellence set them apart from their competitors.
Major Lawal extended his gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Corps Commander Education, Major General Bello Alhaji Tsoho, for their support and encouragement. He also recognized the contributions of the School Commandants and Teachers, acknowledging their dedication and efforts in preparing the Command School students for the competition.
The victory of Team Nigerian Army at the 2023 President’s Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship serves as a testament to the high caliber of education and training provided by the Command Schools, as well as the students’ exceptional abilities in critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasive argumentation. The Nigerian Army Command Schools continue to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in both academic and extracurricular pursuits, setting a benchmark for educational institutions across the country.