The Provost, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Prof. Adeyemi Idowu, has commended the Federal Government for organizing a debate for tertiary institutions students.
Idowu stated this at an annual youth debate competition, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education for undergraduates in the South-West. The competition took place at the Adeyemi college on Monday.
Describing the initiative as heartwarming and novel, the provost said it would breed healthy rivalry and promote friendship among participating students and institutions.
He added that it would enhance students’ oratory skills as well as promote their intellectual development.
The competition entitled “Skills Acquisition and Self- Employment, a Panacea for Youth Employment,’’ Idowu said, would also enable the participants to contribute their quota to the nation’s development.
Describing youths as vital to national development, the Provost said the topic was apt considering the problem of youth unemployment in the country.
The Education Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the competition, an initiative of the Federal Government, was organised to enable undergraduates to provide an intrinsic solution to the delivery of education.
Represented by an Assistant Director, Student Affair and Youth Department at the Ministry, Mr. Amudipe Gabriel, the minister added that the debate was organised to enable students to examine education-related issues and other problems plaguing the country.
The competition drew participants from seven tertiary institutions from the South-West.
A student of the Adeyemi College of Education, Ibironke Oluwasegun, emerged winner with 38 points.
Osifor Favour, from the University of Benin, came second with 34 points.
Jegede Christianah of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, came third while Adekugbe Olajumoke, of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba- Akoko, came fourth.
