The 13th All Nigeria Universities Debate Championship will commence in Port Harcourt, today with the opening ceremony taking place at the Rivers State University.

The eight-day intellectual contest, according to the organisers, is aimed at promoting reasoned discourse and raising a generation of Nigerians who can win arguments with words rather than violence.

This was contained in a statement by the Local Organising Committee Chairman, Dr Dike Harcourt, and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt at the weekend.

According to Dike, the championship, hosted by the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, is bringing together students from universities across the six geopolitical zones of the country to compete in what is regarded as Nigeria’s foremost intercollegiate debate competition.

He said the 13th edition, with the theme, “Reason Over Anarchy: Raising A Generation That Wins With Words,” would provide an opportunity for participants to demonstrate their intellectual abilities, critical thinking, research skills and capacity for persuasive communication.

Dike stated that the championship, organised by the All Nigeria Universities Debating Council, had over the years established itself as a major platform for identifying and nurturing intellectual leadership among Nigerian undergraduates.

He noted that previous editions of the competition had produced debaters who later distinguished themselves in various fields, including law, governance, business, academia and public service, adding that the decision to host the latest edition at the Rivers State University reflected the institution’s commitment to intellectual development.

The statement quoted the President/Chairman of the All Nigeria Universities Debating Council, Prof. A. A. Owoade, as saying that the theme of the championship was particularly relevant to the challenges confronting the country, stressing the need for young Nigerians to embrace reasoned argument rather than violence.

Owoade said the competition was designed to invest in a generation of Nigerians who understand that the ability to reason clearly, argue persuasively and lead with words remained one of the most powerful tools for positive change in society.

The opening ceremony of the championship will be witnessed by distinguished guests from the Federal and Rivers State Governments, the National Universities Commission, university authorities, debaters, coaches and alumni expected to attend.

According to the organisers, preliminary rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the grand finale will take place during the championship, with the 13th ANUDC champion expected to emerge on September 12, while the programme will run until September 13.

The Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, expressed the institution’s readiness to host the championship, saying the university believes in knowledge, rigorous intellectual discourse and the transformative power of education.

The organisers explained that this year’s theme was a deliberate response to what they described as increasing noise, division and aggression in public discourse, stressing that structured debate and disciplined use of language remained essential to building a functional democratic society.

King Onunwor

Bayelsa State Government says it has met the World Bank assessment for the supply of portable water across its capital city, Yenagoa, and environs.
The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 196th State Executive Council meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa.
He described the development as “good news” for Bayelsans, stating that the bank will, in collaboration with state government officials, begin mapping of Yenagoa and some neighboring communities for water infrastructure deployment.
Diri noted that with ongoing efforts to achieve stable electricity and potable water supply, his administration would have delivered the basic requirements for societal growth.

“We have been on this water thing with the World Bank, and Bayelsa is one of the states that has passed the hurdle of the bank.
“So, the World Bank will alongside our state government officials go round the whole of Yenagoa and some neighboring places. They will deploy geo-mapping and also sensitise the people on this water supply project to Bayelsans”, he said.
The State Chief Executive further stated that by providing water, electricity, road infrastructure, schools and health facilities, his administration was laying a solid foundation to attract private sector investment to the state.
The Bayelsa helmsman stressed that government was not always the best businessman and advocated public-private partnership as the way forward for industrialising the state.
He called on Bayelsans to take advantage of the foundation being laid by his administration, adding that outsiders might see the economic opportunities in the state before them.
“Investments do not hang in the air. We have seen how some other past governors made certain investments but those investments are now a shadow of themselves. I believe every economy is mostly private sector driven.
“Sometimes we may not even see the opportunities as Bayelsans. It is outsiders that see them before our people. So, let us open our eyes to the opportunities for economic growth”, he urged.
In similar vein, the Governor has also received an Award of Excellence for Disability Inclusion presented by the Commissioner for Women, Child Empowerment and Social Development, Mrs. Joanna Gigi.
According to the Commissioner, the recognition from Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) was for the governor’s commitment to disability inclusion, particularly his assent to the Persons Living with Disabilities Law 2026, which she described as a significant milestone for the state.
The PLWDs also acknowledged the administration’s efforts under the Assured Prosperity Agenda, which saw to the appointment of 40 persons with disabilities into government positions, and the employment of over 20 physically challenged persons into the state civil service.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, has urged political office holders in the eight local government areas of the State to see their positions as an opportunity to serve the grassroots and prepare for higher responsibility in public service.
He gave the charge recently at an enlarged meeting with chairmen, principal officers and members of the legislative arms, political secretaries and supervisory councillors of the councils in his office.
He advised members of the legislative arms not to treat politics as a profession, imploring them to avoid infighting and to cooperate with their chairmen to make impact at the third tier of government.

According to him, if office holders regard their current assignments as a test for greater opportunities, serving the people well will not be difficult.
He said as representatives of the people at the grassroots, they should use their offices to deliver dividends of democracy that would help secure victory at their polling units and wards in the 2027 general election.
The Bayelsa number two man noted that delivering their polling units was not just about the interest of party candidates, but a personal obligation needed to sustain the system they all belong to.
He also urged them to play active roles in the forthcoming 30th anniversary of the state’s creation by sensitising people at the grassroots to participate in the “Bayelsa at 30” celebrations.
“Every leadership position or political appointment you occupy is an examination you must pass. We want to know what you have done with your stay in office.
“I tell people that every political office is a privilege and an her responsibility in public service.

examination we all need to pass and stand a brighter chance of being entrusted with higher responsibility in public service.
“Your position is not to fight or make trouble with your respective chairmen. If there are issues, you bring them up using the right channels for us to address them.
“Loyalty is about one captain and his crew. You cannot have a different agenda from the captain and the crew. Few of us are still struggling to key into the direction the ship is taking”, he said.
“You cannot be in these positions and fold your hands. You are the people at the grassroots. So, do everything to boost your social and political influence at that level. Your office must bring political dividends to the system.
“Take this as a personal matter to deliver your polling units genuinely. I want you to know that the forthcoming election transcends the flag-bearers; it is about us. You have to bring something to the pool”, the Deputy Governor added.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy l Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Mr. Timipre Seipulu; and chairmen of the eight local government councils, among others.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa