Fifteen-year-old Ifeoluwa Olaiya won the eighth edition of Nigeria Info’s ‘I Beg to Differ’ debate tournament, securing ₦1 million. She debated against Hameed Olarenwaju, arguing against President Tinubu’s leadership legitimacy and criticizing selective anti-corruption efforts. Esther Joseph supported the motion, citing economic reforms. The event included a final presentation on “The Nigerian Woman,” with Olaiya declared the winner by a split decision. The top four debaters qualified for the upcoming Tournament of Champions.
Ifeoluwa Olaiya, a 15-year-old student from Wellspring College, has achieved victory in the eighth edition of the Nigeria Info student debate tournament, “I Beg to Differ.” Olaiya earned the grand prize of ₦1 million by outperforming Hameed Olarenwaju, also 15, in the finale. She argued against the motion: “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated he is the right leader for Nigeria.”
In her debate, Olaiya asserted that President Tinubu lacks legitimacy, citing public perception that his election was flawed, despite the Supreme Court dismissing electoral malpractice allegations. She further criticized his leadership role within ECOWAS, noting regional instability and member state departures. Additionally, she claimed that the administration’s anti-corruption actions are selectively aimed at opposition figures while ignoring credible allegations against prominent officials like Betta Edu and Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Esther Joseph, aged 16, presented arguments in support of the motion, highlighting President Tinubu’s economic reforms during his governorship in Lagos State. Joseph pointed out the administration’s investments in transportation, including notable rail infrastructure improvements, and asserted that under Tinubu’s governance, states have experienced increased economic autonomy.
During the final round, both debaters presented their perspectives on “The Nigerian Woman,” leading to a carefully considered decision by the judges. Ultimately, they awarded Ifeoluwa Olaiya the championship title.
Chalokwu Naomi finished third after her competitor, Akinsulie Oyindamola, withdrew from the contest. Prizes of ₦1 million, ₦500,000, and ₦250,000 were presented to the top three participants by Femi Obong-Daniels, Group Manager for CoolWazobiaNigeriaInfo, supported by sponsors such as Obiwezy and Diamonds and Pearls Travels. Furthermore, all four finalists have secured spots in the upcoming I Beg to Differ Tournament of Champions scheduled for later this year.
The triumph of Ifeoluwa Olaiya in Nigeria Info’s debate tournament illustrates the importance of youth engagement in public discourse. Her compelling arguments against the legitimacy of President Tinubu’s leadership, along with the presentation by her opponent, underscore the diversity of opinions among the younger generation. Additionally, the tournament continues to support promising debaters, as reflected in the automatic qualification for the Tournament of Champions.
Original Source: www.nigeriainfo.fm
