May 14, (THEWILL)- Governor Hyacinth Alia has splashed N16 million and granted scholarship to four students from Benue state, who were part of the Nigerian team that defeated their Indonesian counterparts to emerge victorious at the just concluded Indonesia-Nigeria Bilateral Debate competition, which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Governor Alia made the pronouncement when he received the victorious students on Monday, at Government House, Makurdi.
The representatives from the country which participated at the bilateral international debate competition, organised for basic education learners under the auspices of the President, School Debate Nigeria, had Sonia Aduba, Ogenyi Favour, Samuel Ochara and Ruth Suurshater, as participants from Benue State.
Governor Alia, who could not hide his excitement, said he was happy that his administration has set an exemplary path of excellence for the students to follow.
“I will not lament about paucity of funds, especially on issues of education and development. Let me assure that all Benue kids will be given equal opportunity to travel internationally, in order to make the state proud.”
While congratulating the students, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Grace Adagba, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. (Dr) Frederick Kyaan, the parents of the students and their coaches for their support, the governor promised that his administration will continue to prioritise education, youth empowerment, job creation and security, in order to create a brighter future for the children and the state as a whole.
Governor Alia revealed that the government will henceforth; take up the tuition fees of the 4 students up to their first degree at the university.
He also donated cash reward of N4 million to each of the four students who participated at the competition, with their coaches also given N3 million cash reward for their support to the students, while 10 laptop computers were given to their schools.
Earlier in her address, Dr Grace Adagba appreciated the governor for supporting the Benue team to go and represent the country in Indonesia, intimating that the representatives were selected from Public schools, such as SUBEB-UBEC Smart School, Adaka, Arabic Junior School, Makurdi, LGEA School, Owners Occupier.
She urged parents and stakeholders to encourage the participation of children in the public schools in the State.
Frederick Kyaan said it was a thing of joy as the students went out of the country and made the state proud.
He appreciated the governor for making it possible for the student to go and fly the colours of the state overseas while also commending the students for performing excellently at the debate, adding that the representatives which cut across Tiv, Idoma and Igede, shows unity of purpose.
The team had arrived Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia on the night of Sunday, May 5, 2024, and the competition lasted from Monday, May 6, to Saturday, May 11, 2024.
The aim of the competition was to help students express their points of view on selected topics, as well as listen to the views of others and think critically.
Benue had emerged second at the National level of the competition which was held in Abuja in November 2023, with Kwara State coming top, while Taraba came third.
The 3 top teams represented Nigeria at the debate in Indonesia and they debated on the topic: “This House Believes that it is in President Putin of Russia’s interest to pull out his troops from Ukraine.”
Gov Alia & Students Winners
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