By our reporter
St. Augustine College has emerged as the 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 three-week competition brought together about sixteen secondary schools from across Igbuzo, providing students with a valuable platform to showcase their intellectual abilities.
Participants engaged in rigorous debates, presenting persuasive arguments on diverse topics while demonstrating critical thinking, creativity, and in-depth research.
The grand finale, held in an atmosphere of 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, while Omu Boys Secondary School finished as first runner-up. Prime Seeds of Abraham secured third place.
The event attracted 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, highlighting its role in inspiring academic excellence and boosting students’ confidence.
In his remarks, the Coordinator, Dr. Pat Adigwe, who represented the founder, Pastor Idowu Okeze, expressed satisfaction with the success of the programme. He noted 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.