Nigeria To Host 2015 World Schools Debate Competition

Following the participation of the Nigerian contingent in the World Schools Debate Competition in Bangkok this year, Nigeria has been granted the hosting rights for the 2015 edition of the competition.

According to the Coordinator of the President’s School Debate, Dare Oritu, Nigeria won the hosting rights due to the brilliant performance of the country’s representatives in Bangkok recently.

He disclosed this in Abuja while announcing the commencement of 54th Independence Anniversary School Debate competition scheduled to hold within the week in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During the debate competition, young contingents from over 60 foreign countries are expected converge in Nigeria to participate in the competition.

“Our performance at the last World Debate School Championship has given Nigeria the right to host the next International Debate in Nigeria. By April next year, we are going to host the first World Schools Debate in Nigeria,”Oritu said.

It would be recalled that Nigeria was recently promoted to the rank of competition committee membership, which gave it an edge to host the next year edition.

Nigeria was initially expected to compete against Germany to host 2016 edition of the competition but its participation in Bangkok earned it the 2015 hosting right.

Meanwhile, 26 states out of the 36 states of the federation are expected to take part in the 54th Independence Anniversary Schools Debate competition.

According to former Minister of State for Education, Professor Jerry Agada, who is the Chairman, Advisory Board of the President’s Schools Debate, the competition which was earlier scheduled to coincide with the nation’s independence anniversary was put off following the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

“All of you might be wondering why there was a delay in organising the 54th Independence Anniversary Debate, the reason is that, the whole arrangement was made and we were to roll out our drums to do the independence celebration and you know this debate is inter basic education schools debate.

“We were to have students from the six geo-political zones of the country to do the debate, so as to highlight the 54th independence of Nigeria.

“We had wanted them to do this debate to showcase what we do in Nigeria and why we are proud to celebrate our independence, but unfortunately, that particular time was when Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was at the height and therefore you were aware that schools were closed and all the activities that will bring people to associate and circulate the disease was avoided.