Otti Celebrates Abia Students For Winning International Debate Championship In Qatar, Grants Scholarship To Bereaved Student

UMUAHIA — Governor Alex Otti has celebrated Abia public school students who won international debate championship in Doha, Qatar, describing the feat as proof that public schools in Abia have returned to glory.

At the official welcome ceremony held in Umuahia, Otti said he is proud product of public school and assured that never again would Abia public schools go down as they did in past.

Five students from Abia represented Nigeria at the tournament hosted by Katara Centre at Georgetown University, Doha, organized by QatarDebate.

The Team competed against 84 groups from eight countries including Jordan, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Ghana, Philippines and Qatar, and returned with four trophies and 12 medals, emerging overall best team in the junior category.

The students also produced best debater award, best leadership award and five speakers ranked among top ten speakers of tournament.

Otti congratulated the handlers, the coach, desk officer, Director of School Services and the Executive Chairman of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Lady Lydia Onuoha.

Governor announced cash rewards and scholarship:

– Five debaters: N1 million each

– Three officials: N750,000 each

– Executive Chairman, ASUBEB: N1 million

– Adhia Model Junior Secondary School: N1.75 million

– Bukunpo Lorenzia Oyinyechi, winner of 2026 National Essay Championship: N1 million

In an emotional moment, Otti granted a special scholarship to Esther Chinweotuto, who lost her father at the age of four from Senior Secondary School through university through the Alex Otti Foundation

“Today you have another dad,” Otti told her.

Otti said his administration met 926 primary schools, 265 junior secondary schools and 263 senior secondary schools in dilapidated state in 2023, with many without teachers. He said the government abolished school fees, made education free and compulsory, introduced discriminatory compensation package in favour of teaching, recruited 5,493 teachers in first batch and 4,075 in second batch.

He disclosed that the number of junior secondary schools has risen from 265 to 330 and senior secondary from 263 to 330 as moribund schools came back to life, while 20 SMART schools approved, two completed, third to be delivered before end of year, with one additional approved last week making 21.

He urged Abians to adopt schools in their villages, starting with fencing playgrounds to secure students and land, adding that government is making efforts to ensure every school is manned by Homeland Security.

Earlier, ASUBEB Chairman, Lady Onuoha, said the journey started in December when Abia students placed fourth out of 11 states in the Presidential School Debate in Abuja in 60 years, qualifying for Qatar.

She said 15 students emerged from the LGA competitions, five finally selected and given nine weeks intensive training on tablets, laptops, online research, comportment, confidence and British Parliamentary style debate.

She thanked the Governor for funding the journey, praying for the team, and allocating 20% of the state budget to education, noting that renovation ongoing in over 500 schools.

She also appreciated the wife of the Governor, Deputy Governor, SSG and other officials for support and parents for trusting the team with their children for nine weeks and trip to Qatar.