The University of Ilorin is hosting 30 Universities across the country for the 9th All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship and the 2nd Nigeria Universities Quiz Challenge.
Speaking during his welcome address, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin described the event as a rewarding experience.
Abdulkareem observed that the programme required planning and extensive logistics to put in place, adding that the University of Ilorin which is the host was up to the task through motivation and with the hardworking staffs.
He stated that debating and quiz competition encourage and improves students critical thinking skills, increased retention of information learned and enhanced teamwork skills and collaboration.
The Vice-Chancellor urge contestants to size the opportunity of the Debating and Quiz Championship to learn, contribute and add value to themselves and be truly educated.
Also speaking, Prof. Sherrif Folarin, President of All-Nigeria Universities Quiz Challenge (ANUQC), said the competition tagged “Better By Far Challenge”, drew participants from across Nigerian varsities, adding that UNILORIN won the first edition of the competition.
According to him, the body has partnered with major stakeholders in Nigeria to promote debate and dialogue among the youths.
“It has also settled dispute dispute within local debate societies in schools and between institutions in the country, ” he said.
Folarin also pointed out the need to to ensure partnership with other African countries most especially Francophone countries.
He explained that the Nigeria and Togo debating committees, recently had issues over hosting rights of the 2023 pans African Universities Debating Council (PAUDC).
“ANUQC urge Nigeria and Togolese disputants to let the peace remain and support one another in ensuring that West Africa does not lose the opportunity to host the tournament in 2023,” he said.
He therefore opined that Togo should be allowed to host bearing in mind that its a Francophone country, and PAUDC is dominated by Anglophone countries.
Meanwhile, some of the competing varsities include, University of Ilorin, University of Lagos, the Federal University of Technology, Akure; and the University of Calabar.
Others include Covenant University, Otta; Ogun State; Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State University, Modibbo Adama University, Yola; and the Federal University, Birni Kebbi and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka among others.