In a vibrant celebration of intellect and youth potential, the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro recently hosted an interschool debate to honour Basic Education and Literacy Month.

The event according to a statement which, followed the club’s weekly meeting, saw five Lagos secondary schools engage in a spirited clash over a topic shaping the global conversation: “Will Artificial Intelligence Improve Our Future or Put It at Risk?”

With millions of naira in prizes, the initiative underscored Rotary’s mission to champion education and empower Nigeria’s next generation.

The debate, the statement said featured standout performances from student leaders: Utsu Comfort of Ireti Senior Grammar School (ISGS), Ugwuede Rhema of King’s College (KC), Nwankwo Munochimso of Holy Child College (HCC), Abdulmumin Zainab of Government Senior College (GSC), and Asiegbu Maryrose of Girls Senior Secondary Grammar School (GSSGS).

Over 30 students and a dozen teachers filled the room, with HCC sending the largest contingent of 11 students and one teacher, while GSC brought a lean team of six students and one teacher.

Rotarian Jude Izuka moderated with finesse, while judges Rotarian Anita Ugochukwu, Rotarian Dimeji Olatunji-Audu, and Rotarian Abiodun Aderonke Okusolubo, alongside timekeeper Rotarian Florence Kelvin, ensured a fair and lively contest.

The debate buzzed with insights, as students weighed AI’s transformative potential in education and healthcare against its risks of job losses and ethical challenges.

ISGS emerged victorious, but the event’s true win was its inclusivity.

Rotarian Francis Egede, Youth Service Chairman, praised the club’s collective effort, spotlighting United President Rotarian Alexander Chukwu and Immediate Past President Rotarian Gbolahan Adeyinka.

“These students brought incredible perspectives,” Egede said. “I learned so much, and I can’t wait for next year’s debate.”

Chukwu highlighted the event’s evolution: “Last year, we promised bigger and better, and we delivered. We expanded to five schools and ensured every participant; students, teachers, even spectators, receives a reward.”

ISGS secured N500,000, with its debaters earning N50,000 each and teachers N25,000 each. GSSGS, in second, received N400,000, with students at N30,000 each and teachers at N25,000 each. HCC took N300,000 for bronze, with N20,000 per student and N25,000 per teacher.

KC and GSC, in fourth and fifth, each got N200,000, with students receiving N10,000 each and teachers N25,000 each.

Every student attendee also pocketed an extra N10,000, a gesture of universal appreciation by the club president.

This debate was part of Rotary’s broader commitment to education, one of its seven focus areas.

Recently, the club awarded scholarships to 15 indigent students for school fees, WAEC, JAMB, and NECO exams during a District 9112 Governor visit.

“While others sponsor morally questionable content, we choose to invest in our youths’ minds,” Chukwu said.

“This programme pushes them to think critically and build their futures.”