Nigeria Info, a radio station, has introduced the ‘I Beg to Differ’ debate competition aimed at secondary schools.
In a press conference announcing the launch of the competition, tagged ‘Tournament of Champions,’ Femi Obong-Daniels, the General Manager of Nigeria Info, Wazobia, Cool, and Kids FM, emphasized the objective of amplifying the voices of the youth in the country.
This competition is designed for secondary school students aged 13 to 17.
The national finals will feature 16 of the top debaters in the country and are scheduled to take place over a three-week period from Monday, August 12th, to Thursday, August 29th, 2024.
Regarding the contestants, he mentioned that the best debaters from Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja will be brought to Lagos for the national finale.
Daniel explained, “The national finals will be aired live on Nigeria Info in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, as well as on Kids FM. Additionally, the event will be livestreamed on YouTube and radio, ensuring a broad audience reach. The competition will be judged by a diverse panel, consisting of at least four to five judges, including a language expert.”
“The topics of discussion range from politics, governance, and current affairs to human-interest stories. Throughout the tournament, radio broadcasts will be dedicated to the competition from 4 PM to 6 PM.
“Having interacted with these young individuals, I am genuinely amazed by their intellectual capacity and perspective. It instills hope in me as a Nigerian. When young minds can critically engage with subjects like governance, national issues, policies, and politics, it signifies promise for our future.
Some of them exhibit exceptional brilliance, prompting one to reflect on one’s own pursuits at 15, 16, or 17 years old.’”
The I Beg to Differ Tournament of Champions will be hosted by Femi Obong-Daniels and Yvonne Okhaifo.