Get Guardian on Google…The competition, themed “Leadership & Innovation”, attracted 300 students from 20 schools, with 12 finalists selected from over 70 applicants across Lagos State
Superb Foundation College has emerged winner of the fourth edition of the Dacurate Secondary School Debate, held on Saturday at CGMI, Garden City, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The school clinched the top position ahead of Redeemers International Secondary School, which came second, and Grace High School, which finished third, in a competition that brought together 300 students from 20 schools across Lagos State.
Held under the theme “Leadership & Innovation”, the debate featured 12 finalist schools selected from more than 70 applications. Superb Foundation College was represented by Atiyah Adebiyi and Balikis Adediran, while Otitoju Oluwakayikunwa and Falaiye Israel represented the second-place school. Grace High School’s team comprised Beredugo Ayokunmi and Ekanim Emem.
The first-place school received prizes valued at ₦500,000, while the second and third-place schools received prizes valued at ₦300,000 and ₦200,000, respectively. All participating schools also received prizes, alongside scholarship and training opportunities. Superstars School was recognised for the Best Use of Data and Evidence.
The Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), was represented by the commission’s Head of Lagos Office, Mr Oladipo Odebowale, FCA, who commended the initiative and called for its expansion nationwide.
“This is a beautiful and laudable initiative, and one that deserves to be replicated across the nation,” Odebowale said.
Speaking on the purpose of the competition, Mateen Olukorede Taomu, Director of Dacurate Insight Initiative, said the debate was designed to develop leadership and critical thinking skills among young Nigerians from an early age.
“Leadership is not a title you wait to be given; it is a set of skills you build. When a young person learns to research, structure an argument, listen to an opposing view and respond with clarity and respect, they are building the habits that great leaders and innovators are made of,” he said.
Taomu added that the initiative provides students with an opportunity to develop research, communication and collaboration skills while giving them a platform to express and defend their ideas.
The teams were assessed on content and knowledge, delivery, argumentation, rebuttal, time management, and teamwork. The judging panel comprised Toheeb Dele-Balogun of The Hook Creative Agency, Collins Eke of KPMG, and Damilola Teidi-Ayoola of Ventures Platform Fund.
The programme also featured a panel discussion with industry professionals, including Ugonna Achebe, Co-founder of GuidED; Ayokunle Kayode, Managing Director of Tech Suite Pro Ltd; and Faith Abakada, Chief Operating Officer of SKLD Integrated Services.
