A 100 level student of English Department of Federal University Lokoja, Miss Hanna Adebola from Ogale in Ijumu local government area of Kogi State has emerged the overall winner of Dr. Taofiq Isa maiden debate competition.
The Debate Competition which was sponsored by Amb. Kilani Olusola Olumo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ijumu Constituency in 2019 general elections was held at Iyara, the headquarters of Ijumu local government area.
The competition was was held for students of the Ijumu Kingdom. At the end of the debate, the overall winner, Miss Adebola went home with a cash gift of 50,000 thousand Naira, Odumayo Tanimola a Mass Communication Student of Kogi State University (KSU) who took the second position went home with a cash gift of 30,000 Naira and the third position which was won by Jacob Olorunfemi went home with cash gift 20,000 Naira.
In his speech, the sponsored of the debate competition, Amb. Kilani Olusola Olumo said that he was motivated to sponsor the debate because of his love for education.
He stated that his intention of sponsoring the programme is to bring out the best out the students of the area in other to motivate them in the pursuit of their education.
Amb. Olumo reiterated his commitment to ensure that he accords education, youth empowerment and growth and development of Ijumu takes the front burner in his legislative duties if given the mandate to represent the people of the area at the 7th Legislature of Kogi state House of Assembly.
He called on the Youth of the area to shun violence and and be good Ambassadors of the area pointing out that Ijumu people all over the world are known to be hardworking and lovers of peace and appealed to them not to do anything that will have negative impact on the good name of the area.
The Administrator of Ijumu Local Government, Alhaji (Dr) Taofiq Isa, who the Debate Competition was named after, was overwhelmed with the success of the competition. He thanked the sponsor and organisers for doing a wonderful job.
The council boss gave 100,000 Naira to support the competition and pledged to make it an annual event.
Dr. Taofiq pleaded with the sponsor to change the name of the event from ‘Dr. Taofiq Isa Debate Competition’ to ‘Ijumu Agenda Debate Competition’. He donated 1 Million Naira and constituted a Board of Trustees for the management of the annual event with Amb. Kilani Olusola Olumo as the Chairman.
In his remarks, the coordinator of the Debate Programme, Mr. Lanre Obalaja thanked the Administrator of Ijumu LGA for his support. He commended the sponsor of the programme, Amb. Olumo for believing in him. He lauded him for his passion and love not for education but in the growth and development of Ijumu land.
Mr. Obalaja prayed God to grant him victory in the his desire to represent the people of the area at the Kogi State House of Assembly.
Highlights of the event was a keynote lecture by Mr. Ariyo Oshadare, a lecturer at Kogi State College of Education (Technical) Kabba, entitled “Reasons Why Government Must Spend More on Education.”
Present at the event are; Alhaji Taofiq Isa, Ambassador Kilani Olumo, Hon. Lewis Asubiojo, Presidents of Ijumu Students Union and Iyara Students Union, Miss Ijumu and other Ijumu Local Government Area appointees.
