A Non-Government Organisation, known as Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative has organized a debate competition in the South-West region of Nigeria, which has the theme, ‘Balancing Transparency and Accountability in Governance’.
Penpushing reports that the competition took place at Babalakin hall of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) , Abeokuta, Ogun State featuring students from various departments of the institution.
The participating departments included Pharmaceuticals, Office Technology Management, Marketing, Mass Communication, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Estate Management, Hospitality, and Computer Science.
Penpushing further reports that eight departments participated in the debate, with four departments opposing the motion and four supporting it, with each comprising three students from the polytechnic, presenting arguments either for or against the motion.
The debate format consisted of three rounds as first team lead speaker outlined their stance and presented main points within a 4-minute time frame, while second team lead speaker expanded on the points, introduced new evidence, and rebutted arguments from the opposing side within the same time limit.
Penpushing also reports that the event was graced by the Ogun State Focal Point, who appreciated all attendees and particularly acknowledged the European Partnership for Democracy, the competition’s donor
The Lagos Focal Point, Abdulsalam Oluwatobi, introduced the YouthGovTracka project (Office of the Citizens Accountability Toolkit) to all attendees, including distributing copies to present personalities and the Press Club of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY).
Penpushing reports that judges and moderators collated scores after the debate based on content, originality, delivery, clarity, strategy, rebuttal, and overall impact, and announcing final result Mass Communication Department emerged as the winner with a score of 78.8%.
The Pharmaceutical department came second with 77.8%, and the Electrical/Electronic Engineering department emerged third place position with 73.6%, and thereafter cash prizes were presented to the winners.
Penpushing further reports that at the end of the programme Mass Communication received N30,000, Pharmaceuticals got N25,000 and Electrical/Electronic Engineering went home with N20,000, with payment vouchers signed by them
The event was attended by prominent personalities, including a representative of the Ogun State Commissioner of Education, Mr. Okeleye Olarotimi, the institution counselor, Folorunsho Jacob, staff advisers from the Press Club of the institution, Dr. Ademuyiwa and Dr. Wasiu Tejuosho, lecturer from department of mass communication, as well as over 250 students from various departments of the polytechnic.
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