Godfrey Okoye University (GOU), Enugu State, has honoured students of the Faculty of Law for emerging victorious in a National Universities Commission – National Youth Service Corps debate championship, with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christian Anieke, describing the achievement as another proof of the university’s culture of excellence.

Egbogu Favour and Kosisochukwu Ajoyi represented the school at the competition that involved 74 Universities drawn from various parts of the country.

An elated Vice Chancellor, Anieke, told the school community and stakeholders that gathered to celebrate the students that the victory reflected the discipline, academic rigour and quality training for which the university had become known.

“I am so proud of the two of you. The eagle has taken off and there is no stopping it,” he declared

He stated that the Faculty of Law has maintained an impressive record at the Nigerian Law School, while the College of Medicine has also distinguished itself with outstanding academic performances.

He also announced several mouth-watering offers to the victorious students, assuring that his management would continue to support debates and other competitions in the country.

Anieke said the importance attached to competitions was why the school created a unit to prepare students and ensure they participate.

The Enugu-based institution clinched the top prize after beating out stiff competition from over 74 universities, 109 debate teams, and 218 individual debaters across the nation.

The NUC provided the official platform for the initiative, while Royal Rhetorics—an organisation dedicated to training debaters internationally—provided technical support, adjudicators, and full sponsorship for the tournament.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, a representative of Royal Rhetorics, Nwaele Stanley Chiemerie, commended the resilience of the champions.

The organisation awarded a cash prize of N250,000 to the winning duo, as well as an opportunity to participate in other debate competitions.

Chiemerie acknowledged that while the amount does not fully match the magnitude of the students’ hard work, it serves as a token of recognition.

He subsequently called on corporate bodies and public sponsors to partner with the organisation in future editions to provide more substantial financial backing for academic achievements.

Reflecting on their journey, the student champions, Favour Egbogu and Ajoyi Kosisochukwu, described the experience as “daunting” but deeply rewarding.

They revealed that they faced established debating giants, including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria (UNN) and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)—institutions that have dominated the Nigerian debating circuit for over five years.

Godfrey Okoye University entered the competitive debating scene in 2024.

The students attributed their victory to weeks of rigorous self-drilling and personal coaching alongside the official NUC training modules.

They further disclosed that the grand finale followed the British Parliamentary (BP) debate format, where they were tasked to speak first as the Opening Government (OG).

Despite the immense pressure and limited preparation time inherent to the opening position, the duo secured the championship title, expressing profound gratitude to God and the university management for their unwavering support. (Guardian)