Team Rivers has won the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship, emerging national champions for the first time.
Team Kwara placed second, while Team Sokoto finished third in the competition involving students from the 36 states.
Speaking at the grand finale in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, described debate as vital to developing critical thinking, effective communication and responsible leadership among youths.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Fubara congratulated Team Rivers and urged participants to embrace humility, respect divergent views and defend their positions with facts and reason.
He also commended the organisers for promoting youth development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting education and initiatives that prepare young Nigerians for leadership.
Governor Fubara was also honoured as the Best Governor in the South-South, while Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, received the Best Governor award in the North-East.
