Students of Wesley College at Elekuro in Ibadan on Thursday emerged winners of the 2024 Inter-Schools Debate organised by the Oyo State office of National Productivity Centre (NPC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the debate, meant to facilitate positive competition among schools, featured seven of eight expected schools from Ibadan and its environs.
The debate had the topic “5s Good Housekeeping is More Advantageous than 3R for Productivity Improvement”, following the Productivity Coaching and Mentoring lectures held for the schools.
Wesley College scored 393 points to win the competition, while Loyola College came second with 333 points and Isebo Community High School finished third with 303 points.
Urban Day Grammar School finished fourth, while Army Barracks Grammar School at Letmauck Barracks and their neighbours Army Day Grammar School were joint fifth.
Awotan/Araromi Community High School (Senior) were seventh, while Sango Community High School failed to turn up for the competition.
Four of the schools — Wesley, Loyola, Urban Day and Isebo —- had led after the first round, to qualify for a second round where they now picked the first four positions.
Speaking at the event, the NPC Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs Kehinde Adeyemi, said the competition had over the years helped inculcate productivity consciousness in students, and improved their capacity and efficiency.
Adeyemi disclosed that the competition’s winner would represent Oyo State at the National Productivity Debate which will be held in Abuja at a date to be communicated.
She commended Sen. Sarafadeen Alli (Oyo South/APC), Sumal Foods and Better Jollof Eatery for their contribution and support of the programme.
In his remarks, Alli noted that the importance of productivity in growth and development of any nation could not be underestimated.
Alli, represented by Dr Salaudeen Olaide, said any country which wants to be productive must inculcate the productivity culture in its youths.
”This must be from the young age in the way the programme tends to achieve,” he said.
“The programme, if properly executed, will enhance and improve the productivity culture of generations yet unborn and result into robust growth in all spheres of life of the next generation,” he added.
Alli then pledged to provide flight tickets for the winners when they head to Abuja for the national finals of the competition.
In his remarks، the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, said the the state government was determined to lift majority of its citizens out of poverty to prosperity through education.
The commissioner who was represented by the Ministry Local Inspector of Education, Mr Okesade Lukman, said the state would continue to collaborate with any individual or organisations whose goals are designed to promote education in the state.
He said that Seyi Makinde administration was glad to identify with the National Productivity Centre (NPC) and its activities in the state.
“Debate competition are strategically designed and organised annually to expose our students to ever literary skills that will equip them with the capacity to cope with the demands of leadership in future.
“It will also provide opportunity for the young ones to share new ideas and knowledge with their colleagues,” he said.
He called on the participants not to see the event as a do or die-affair but pay attention to details and learn new things from the event.
NAN reports that cash prizes and gift items were later presented to the participating schools.
