By Peter Okore, Umuahia
The grand finale of the 14th edition of the 2025/2026 Abia State Secondary Schools Debate Competition, organised by the Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in collaboration with Vision Africa Radio, Umuahia, was held on Monday at the premises of Vision Africa Radio 104.1 FM.
Participants in the competition, which lasted six months, were drawn from secondary schools across the 17 local government areas of the state. The debate focused on the topic: “Is the Grading System an Accurate Measure of a Student’s Intelligence?”
According to the organisers, the competition was designed to showcase the intellectual capacity of young people while promoting critical thinking, confidence, leadership, discipline and healthy academic competition among secondary school students in Abia State.
At the end of the keenly contested event, Gradel International School, Umuahia, emerged overall winner. University Demonstration Secondary School, Umuahia, came second, while Victorious Covenant High School, Aba, placed third.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, commended the students, teachers and organisers for the high quality of the competition. She particularly praised Vision Africa Radio for sustaining the initiative for over a decade.
Mrs. Otti noted that true education goes beyond grades, examinations and certificates, stressing that it should focus on nurturing creativity, building character and preparing young people to become responsible leaders capable of contributing positively to society and nation-building.
She urged students to remain focused on their studies, work hard and aspire to greater heights.
In his remarks, the Founder of Vision Africa, Archbishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, stressed the need for safety in schools and the creation of secure learning environments for students. He expressed concern over the growing insecurity in Nigeria and called on the federal and state governments, the military and other stakeholders to tackle the challenge decisively.
“No student can be truly happy learning when fellow students are languishing in forests and suffering at the hands of people of questionable character,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, retired Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, represented by a former Director at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr. Kester Ekekwe, congratulated the finalist schools for their outstanding performances and encouraged students to cultivate strong reading habits.
Ihejirika also commended Vision Africa for its consistency in sustaining the debate competition over the years and praised Archbishop Onuoha for his commitment to youth development through educational initiatives.
Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of Vision Africa, Barrister Saraphina Nwokonta, announced that the organisation would sponsor the WAEC examination fees of John Confidence of University Demonstration Secondary School in recognition of his outstanding presentation during the competition.
Archbishop Onuoha also pledged to sponsor the WAEC examination fees of the six students who participated in the grand finale.
Speaking in an interview, the coach of the winning school, Mr. Eluwa Innocent, expressed delight over the victory, describing it as a reward for the team’s hard work and dedication. He encouraged students to remain passionate about learning and never give up on their educational pursuits.
The Overall Best Speaker of the competition, Esther Stephen of University Demonstration Secondary School, Umuahia, urged fellow students to believe in themselves, noting that self-doubt is often the greatest obstacle to success.