Fides Media Living the Faith
By Cynthia Igbokwe
It was a euphoric moment for students of St Patrick’s College, Awka, as they emerged winners of the 2021 Rotary inter school annual debate.
The competition which took place at Girls’ Secondary School, Awka, on Friday 19 April 2021, had four schools represented.
Fides gathered that the Rotary Annual Debate Competition exposed the students to speak on different topics, such as, ”Social media has done more good than harm”, and ”COVID-19 is a scam”. Girls’ Secondary School, Awka, as team, were the proposers during the first round of the competition but were kicked out, while Capital City Secondary School, Awka, were eliminated in the second round of the competition.
Students of St Patrick’s College Awka, receiving a trophy from the Rotary President on 16 April 2021 at Girls’ Secondary School, Awka
The team from St Patrick’s College, Awka, won the second round of the competition against St John of God Secondary School, Awka, to emerge overall winners in the competition.
Speaking to Fides, the President, Rotary Club of Awka, District 9142, GRA Branch, Rotarian Somadina Okwelogu, said the competition was one of their annual events targeted at improving research and reading culture among teenagers.
Reacting on why the competition was necessary for secondary school students, the Anambra State Debate Coordinator, Mrs Amaka Anekwe, said debates improved the students’ speaking ability and confidence and also prepared them on how to make right research on diverse topics of interest.
Meanwhile, one of the students, Achuorah Michael, from St Patrick’s College, Awka, who emerged the best speaker at the debate competition, appreciated the club for organising the event, noting that it exposed them to more knowledge of debating.
Judges present during the debates included, the Language Desk Officer, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Mrs Chukwujekwu Ngozi; a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Emeka Odogwu, and one-time national debate candidate to Singapore, Mr Chiagozie Udorji.
The highpoints of the event were presentation of certificates to participants and presentation of trophies to schools that took the first, second and third positions, respectively.
The schools represented were Saint John of God Secondary School Awka; Girls’ Secondary School, Awka; Capital City Secondary School, Awka; and St Patrick’s College, Awka.