Winners have emerged in the TVC Women Network Senior Secondary School Female Championship Debate.
The competition exuded oratory, wit, and leadership at the second edition of the contest held in Lagos.
Out of about 107 entries received, five female finalists representing their various schools drawn from different parts of the country slugged it out.
The event was organised as part of activities to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Girl Child and promote gender equality.
For the TVC women network, the annual debate championship is aimed at empowering young girls to be community leaders.
President of TVC Women’s Network, Emem Okwoche, in her remarks, said: “We are passionate about re-tooling women and the girl-child to make a difference in their endeavors, which in turn contributes to National growth. This, we would not relent till Nigeria is developed to our taste.”
Also, the Director, People Culture Experience and Operations (PCEO), Kemi Shonubi, said: “We believe by empowering and inspiring women, it will pave the way for a better future. It is about nurturing talents and opening doors for the incredible women in our organisation
The debaters were adjudged and evaluated on the basis of eloquence and articulation; relevance of their points to the topic; and grammatical errors.
The debate centered on the topics: “Is AI a threat to humanity or a step further to civilization” and “Should government/parents regulate the use of social media by children.”
At the end of a keenly contested battle, a senior secondary student of Al-Hikmah University International School, Hikmah Abdulkareem emerged as the winner, clinching the star prize of N1 million.
Kalu Glory Virginia of Ransome-Kuti Memorial School and Bliss Ejiofor of Eternal King Comprehensive College emerged 1st and 2nd runners-up, winning N500,000 and N300,000 respectively.
The judges including Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Victoria Abiola Ajayi, Tunji Sotimirin, and Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade commended the performance of the young female debaters.
