Abia State Governor Alex Otti has awarded a cash gift of N1 million each to the five students who represented the state and Nigeria at this year’s International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.

The governor also announced a full education sponsorship up to university level by the Alex Otti Foundation for the captain of the state’s contingent, 15-year-old Miss Esther Christian, who lost her father at the age of four.

Governor Otti announced the incentives at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, while hosting the victorious students.

He also awarded N1 million to Miss Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls’ Secondary School, winner of the recent National Essay Competition; N750,000 each to the officials who accompanied the debate team; and N1.75 million to Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham Osisioma Ngwa, which produced the champions.

Receiving the champions’ trophies, medals and certificates, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to transform the state’s education sector through sustained investment, improved infrastructure, and increased access to quality education.

The state chief executive congratulated the students, saying celebrating outstanding achievements is part of Abia’s identity.

“This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you,” Otti stated.

The governor approved the students’ request to participate in next year’s edition of the competition, noting that although considerable progress has been made in the education sector, more work remains to be done.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, said the achievements recorded so far are only the beginning and that the positive impact of the government’s efforts in education is gradually becoming evident.

He expressed confidence that investments in education would yield fruitful outcomes.

The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs. Lydia Ezinne Onuoha, who led the team to the international competition, said the students did not just participate but dominated and became the centre of attraction at the global event.

She announced that during the final rounds, the students were given impromptu topics with only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments; the team won four trophies and 12 medals, defeating six countries.

According to her, the team clinched the Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Debater, and Best Leadership awards.

The Abia State team also ranked among the top 10 speakers in the global competition, which featured over 84 teams.

The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, Elder Oritu Dare, hailed Governor Otti for the infrastructural development in the state, stressing that there was a huge difference between his previous visits during past administrations and this year’s event.

He said the victory has created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore.

The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs. Unyime Umoette, praised Governor Otti for the positive changes in the state, particularly in education, noting that public schools were becoming more functional.

She urged public office holders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.

Speaking on behalf of parents of the champions, Mr. Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for hosting the students and for his investment in education.

Christopher said he and other parents were proud of the students’ success at an international competition.

Responding, the Team Captain, Miss Esther Christian, who narrated their success story, thanked the governor for his commitment to education and the officials for believing in them.

She promised that they would continue to make Abia and Nigeria proud.

She requested the governor’s approval for their participation in next year’s edition of the competition, which got the governor’s immediate approval.

The event was attended by parents of the champions and senior appointees of the state government.