Ifeoluwa Olaiya Wins Nigeria Info’s ‘I Beg to Differ’ Debate Tournament

Ifeoluwa Olaiya, 15, won Nigeria Info’s I Beg to Differ debate tournament, securing ₦1 million. She debated against Hameed Olarenwaju, previously challenging Esther Joseph on President Tinubu’s leadership legitimacy. The judges declared Olaiya the tournament winner, with awards presented to the top three contestants and qualifications for an upcoming championship.

Ifeoluwa Olaiya, a 15-year-old student from Wellspring College, has triumphed in the eighth edition of Nigeria Info’s I Beg to Differ student debate tournament. She earned a grand prize of ₦1 million by debating against fellow 15-year-old Hameed Olarenwaju in the final. In earlier rounds, Olaiya confronted 16-year-old Esther Joseph regarding the motion: “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated he is the right leader for Nigeria.”

Olaiya argued against this motion, asserting that President Tinubu’s election lacks legitimacy in the eyes of many Nigerians, given that criticisms of electoral integrity persist despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. She also raised concerns about his leadership in ECOWAS, citing regional instability and recent withdrawals from the organization. Furthermore, she critiqued his administration’s selective approach to anti-corruption, focusing on opposition figures while ignoring allegations against prominent officials.

On the other hand, Esther Joseph defended the motion by praising President Tinubu’s economic policies, which she likened to his successful governance in Lagos State. She noted significant investments in transportation and improvements in rail infrastructure, as well as increased economic autonomy for states under his leadership.

During the finals, the debaters also presented their perspectives on the topic “The Nigerian Woman.” A split decision from the judges crowned Ifeoluwa Olaiya as the tournament champion. Chalokwu Naomi attained third place after her opponent withdrew from the contest.

The awards ceremony featured Femi Obong-Daniels, Group Manager of CoolWazobiaNigeriaInfo, who, along with sponsors including Obiwezy and Diamonds and Pearls Travels, presented cash prizes of ₦1 million, ₦500,000, and ₦250,000 for the top three winners, along with other gifts. The four finalists have qualified for the upcoming I Beg to Differ Tournament of Champions this year.

In summary, Ifeoluwa Olaiya’s victory in the I Beg to Differ tournament underscores her remarkable debating skills and critical insights into contemporary Nigerian leadership. Her compelling arguments on governance legitimacy and anti-corruption contribute significantly to ongoing national discourses. The tournament not only highlights her individual achievement but also the promising talents of young debaters in Nigeria.

Original Source: www.nigeriainfo.fm