Fifteen-year-old Ifeoluwa Olaiya of Wellspring College won the eighth edition of Nigeria Info’s ‘I Beg to Differ’ tournament, receiving ₦1 million. She argued against President Tinubu’s legitimacy, while Esther Joseph supported him. The judges declared Olaiya the winner after a split decision. The event also marks the qualification of the top four debaters for the forthcoming Tournament of Champions.
Ifeoluwa Olaiya, a 15-year-old student from Wellspring College, has won the eighth edition of Nigeria Info’s ‘I Beg to Differ’ debate tournament. In the final round, Olaiya faced 15-year-old Hameed Olarenwaju, securing the grand prize of ₦1 million. She previously debated against 16-year-old Esther Joseph on the topic, “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated he is the right leader for Nigeria.”
During her argument against the motion, Olaiya expressed concerns regarding President Tinubu’s legitimacy, claiming many Nigerians view his election as problematic despite the Supreme Court ruling. Additionally, she pointed out challenges in ECOWAS leadership, citing regional instability and departures of member states. Furthermore, she criticized the administration’s selective anti-corruption efforts, highlighting cases of alleged misconduct involving officials like Betta Edu and Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Esther Joseph, who supported the motion, praised President Tinubu for his economic reforms, drawing parallels to his time as Lagos State governor. She emphasized advancements in transportation, notably rail infrastructure improvements, and argued that there has been an increase in economic independence among states under his leadership.
For the concluding round, participants presented their perspectives on “The Nigerian Woman.” Ultimately, the judges decided on a split verdict, naming Ifeoluwa Olaiya as the tournament champion. Chalokwu Naomi earned third place after her opponent, Akinsulie Oyindamola, withdrew from the contest.
The Group Manager of CoolWazobiaNigeriaInfo, Femi Obong-Daniels, along with sponsors Obiwezy and Diamonds and Pearls Travels, awarded cash prizes of ₦1 million, ₦500,000, and ₦250,000 for the top three placements, in addition to other reward incentives. The four leading debaters have now qualified for the Tournament of Champions, scheduled for later this year.
Ifeoluwa Olaiya’s commendable performance in Nigeria Info’s debate tournament highlights her ability to articulate critical viewpoints on contemporary leadership issues in Nigeria. Her victory not only secures her the grand prize but also qualifies her for the upcoming Tournament of Champions. The robust debates among participants underscore the importance of addressing Nigeria’s socio-political dynamics through the perspectives of its youth.
Original Source: www.nigeriainfo.fm
