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Rivers Wins 2026 Presidential Inter-School Debate: Govt Pledges To Institutionalise Competition

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Rivers State has emerged overall winner of the 2026 Presidential Inter-School Debate Championship, recording a major academic feat for the state on the national stage.
The state was represented by Government Secondary School, Abuloma.
The three-day championship, hosted by the Rivers State Government, has under the theme “27th Democracy Anniversary and Third Year Anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Inter-Senior Secondary School Debate Championship.”
It was organised by President’s School Debate Nigeria in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Seven other states participated in the keenly contested finals: Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Delta, Sokoto, Yobe, and Kwara.
Throughout the competition, the Rivers team distinguished itself with well-researched arguments, clear delivery, and confidence in responding to questions from opposing teams and the panel of judges.
Officials and observers described the victory as a significant accomplishment for Government Secondary School, Abuloma, and for the broader education sector in Rivers State.
Speaking to journalists after the national finals and award ceremony held on Thursday at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, said the state government would institutionalise school debate competitions across primary and secondary schools.
According to him, the initiative is designed to build students’ capacity in critical thinking, research, and public speaking.
“The essence is to train our youth for leadership and to enable them to speak in public with confidence and conviction,” he stated.
Team captain, Miss Williams Favour Onyiyechi, expressed excitement over the win. She said the team was proud to emerge champion and would now represent Nigeria at the forthcoming international school debate competition.
In recognition of their performance, Team Rivers received a trophy and a cash prize of ¦ 500,000 for first place. Team Kwara finished second with a trophy and ¦ 300,000, while Team Sokoto placed third and received ¦ 200,000.
With the planned institutionalisation of debates by the Rivers State Government, education stakeholders say the state is positioning students to compete favourably both nationally and internationally, while strengthening a culture of intellectual engagement in schools.
Akujobi Amadi
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Education

NLNG, NCDMB, RSU Break Ground On Us$6.2m Research And Innovation Centre

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August 24, 2026

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Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, port Harcourt recently held the groundbreaking ceremony for the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering, RICCEE, a US$6.2 million research and development initiative promoted jointly by Nigeria LNG Limited and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.
The project is being implemented under NLNG’s Human Capacity Development Plan and forms part of NCDMB’s Human Capital Development Institutional Strengthening Programme. It is designed to strengthen RSU’s capacity for advanced, industry-relevant research and specialised training.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Mr. Adeleye Falade, represented by Dr. Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, described the centre as more than infrastructure. She said it would serve as a hub for equipping students, lecturers and researchers with tools for practical learning and innovation in computer, electrical and electronics engineering.
Dr. Horsfall explained that RICCEE would strengthen collaboration between academia and industry and ensure that research outcomes directly address operational and societal challenges in Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors. She added that the project aims to upgrade infrastructure, modern research facilities and industry-aligned training programmes to extend human capital development beyond the classroom.
She further announced that NLNG’s Research and Development Implementation Consultancy would be based at the centre upon completion. According to her, the consultancy will support a robust R&D framework in line with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 and facilitate commercially viable research with selected tertiary institutions.
Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director of the Capacity Building Directorate, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, described the groundbreaking as a significant milestone in the Board’s human capital development objectives. He confirmed NCDMB’s full alignment with NLNG on RICCEE and pledged close collaboration to ensure successful execution.
Engr. Bamidele said the project is part of NCDMB’s Institutional Strengthening Programme, which seeks to build enduring partnerships with universities by providing infrastructure that enhances teaching, research and practical skills. He challenged the centre to become a hub of discovery, creativity and enterprise where students would innovate and industry would find reliable R&D partners.

The Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described the occasion as historic. He said RICCEE aligns with the University’s 2026–2030 Strategic Development Plan, which prioritises academic improvement, research collaboration and entrepreneurship. He disclosed that the project originated from an appeal by Engr. Dr. Hachimenum Nyebuchi Amadi, former Acting Head of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and announced Dr. Amadi as pioneer Acting Director of RICCEE.

The facility will sit on approximately 9,336 square metres within RSU and comprise a three-storey building of more than 9,000 square metres with 18 specialised laboratories. The labs will cover Electronics and Signal Processing, Robotics and Embedded Systems, Software Engineering, and Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity. The building will also feature solar energy provisions, energy-efficient lighting and other sustainable systems. A US$1.2 million Professorial Chair will be established to support advanced research and academic leadership.

 

Akujobi Amadi

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Rector Commends RSG Over Commissioning of 3 Projects at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic

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August 24, 2026

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The Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses Neebee, has commended the Rivers State Government for the commissioning of three major projects at the institution, describing the development as historic for the school.
Dr. Neebee made the commendation on Wednesday during his welcome address to Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara at the commissioning ceremony held in Rumuola, Port Harcourt. The projects commissioned are the Governing Council Building, the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Centre, and the School of Engineering block.
He said the new facilities represent some of the biggest additions to the polytechnic in nearly 20 years. According to him, the commissioning marks the first time in almost two decades that the Rivers State Government is delivering projects in the institution.
“The commissioning is historic because it is not for one, not for two, but for three essential projects,” Dr. Neebee stated. “The benefits are enormous as they not only give a facelift to the physical environment but also increase our ability to meet infrastructure requirements for more academic programs.”
The Rector explained that while the Governing Council Building was initiated under the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike, it was completed and furnished by the Fubara administration. He noted the building houses a council chamber, academic ballroom, and conference hall, which will provide comfort for meetings and events.
Dr. Neebee gave a brief history of the institution, saying it was established in 1977 as the Rivers State School of Basic Studies. It was later renamed Rivers State College of Arts and Science in 1991, Port Harcourt Polytechnic in 2016, and finally Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in 2019 following an amendment to the polytechnic law.
He disclosed that the polytechnic received accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education in 2006 with three National Diploma programs. However, he lamented that growth has been slow, with the school currently running 21 ND and 6 HND programs, totaling 27. He identified poor student enrollment since 2023 as a major challenge, attributing it to the absence of student accommodation, limited number of programs, and inadequate lecture space.
In his remarks, Governor Fubara urged students, staff, and the host community to safeguard the new facilities against theft and vandalism. He also appealed to residents of Obio/Akpor LGA to sustain peace in the state, stressing that political stability is critical for continued development. Dr. Neebee, in response, thanked the governor and appealed for further support to address the institution’s outstanding needs.
Kiadum Edookor
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FG Pledges Education Overhaul, Says Debate Builds Democratic Citizenship At 2026 Democracy Day Championship

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August 24, 2026

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The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to overhauling Nigeria’s education sector, describing school debate as a critical platform for grooming democratic citizens.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume made the pledge at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Democracy Day Anniversary Inter-Senior Secondary School Debate Championship held in Port Harcourt and hosted by the Rivers State Government, Thursday.
Represented by a Director in the SGF’s Office, Mrs. Emmabong Yebu-Oluwa Ikwerre, Anyim
said the championship was more than a contest. “An event of this nature is not merely a competition; it is a fundamental training ground for democratic citizenship,” she stated. “Democracy thrives on dialogue, critical thinking, evidence-based arguments, and mutual respect for different viewpoints.”
The SGF noted that the intellectual display by students showed that Nigerian youth have the capacity to offer constructive solutions to national challenges. He said under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government has prioritized the reform and capacity building of educational institutions.
He listed education, health, and social investment, alongside the digital economy and innovation, as core strategic pillars guiding the administration’s interventions. He further outlined initiatives driving the renewal, including the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, which operates on a six-pillar model to rebuild institutional capacity.
He mentioned Specific programs to include the EDU flagship program, human capital and teacher capacity building, the Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure, technical and vocational education, and large-scale infrastructural and welfare interventions. He also highlighted the Renewed Hope Initiative National Scholarship Program founded by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for vulnerable, high-achieving students in tertiary institutions across the 36 states and the FCT.
In his own address, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, described debate as a powerful tool for developing critical thinking, effective communication, and responsible leadership. “The greatest virtue is not lifting the trophy, but becoming a better thinker, a better communicator and a better citizen,” he said.

He commended the First Lady for her support and congratulated Team Rivers for emerging winners, while urging all participants to see themselves as winner and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to academic excellence and youth opportunities.

Earlier, the Chairman of the National Advisory Board, President’s Schools Debate, Nigeria, Hon. Usman Muhammed, said the championship was aimed at raising articulate, informed and responsible young Nigerians committed to democracy and nation-building.

The event climaxed with the presentation of awards, including an Award of Excellence to Governor Fubara as the Best Governor in the South-South and to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State as the Best Governor in the North-East.

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