The second stage of the Madonna University (Okija campus) 2017/2018 Inter-departmental students debate has ended, with Mass Communication, Law, Philosophy and Accountancy departments qualifying for the final round of the exercise.

The last of the second stage of the competition endedThursday, with Mass Communication department and Law faculty qualifying for the final round of the exercise, leaving behind English and Literary Studies and International Relations.

The first phase of the second round was held two weeks ago, wherein Philosophy and Accountancy departments emerged, also leaving behind two other departments.

Speaking earlier on the essence of the exercise, Coordinator of the Madonna University Debate competition, Dr. Tony Nkemakolam described it as a purely academic exercise, even as he urged the participants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

Adding his voice, Chaplain and Administrator of Madonna University, Okija campus, Rev. Father Francis Nwachukwu commended the decorum that characterised the exercise, while urging the students to see it as a challenge to develop their skills and intellect.

He however urged all to practice love for one another and imbibe discipline, even as he charged the students to take their studies very seriously to justify the huge investments on them by their parents. He further advised them to always be good ambassadors of the university wherever they find themselves.

In their separate speeches, Chairperson of the Madonna University Debate committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Uche Oboko, and the University Orator, Mr. Charles Eze, commended the students for what they described as their ‘can-do spirit’ and urged them not to relent.

They further charged the students to see the exercise as a friendly competition aimed at challenging their intellects, warning them not to see it as a do-or-die affair.

The 2017/2018 phase of the competition commenced with 17 departments. At the end ofThursday’sround, only four of the departments qualified for the final stage of the exercise.

The topic of the second round of the debate was: “Taming the menace of corruption in Nigeria: my department, as the best panacea.”

The final round of the debate, with the topic: “Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential election: a candidate from my discipline, the hope of Nigeria’s advancement” shall hold on a date to be announced soon.

The law faculty was represented in the competition by Tiku Ebam Okorinyen, Udolisa Chibuzor and Deborah Ngonadi; Philosophy department was represented by Daniel Obi, Maurice Ugochukwu and Justin Obiesika; Accountancy department was represented by Nancy Ejimole, Joy Anumba and Edmund Iwunze; while the Department of Mass Communication was represented by three hotheads: Chinyere Linda Agbasiere, AdaezeMondayand Juliet Ogbozor.

Thursday’sevent was attended by very important dignitaries, among whom are: Head of Exams and Records of Okija campus of the university, Rev. Father Tobias Ozioko, Acting Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Walter Duru, Head of Department of Economics, Dr. Theophilus Ugwoke and Professor (Mrs.) Bernadette Chukwuneke, head of the Panel of Judges. Other members of the Panel are Dr. Calistus Ogu and Dr. K.C. Obi. Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students of Okija campus of the university cheered their colleagues up in excitement, as the competition ragged.

The highlights of the event were: musical, choral and drama presentations by highly talented students of the university.

Investigations revealed that the final round of the debate may be declared open by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chuks Ezedum.

It would be recalled that the 2016/2017 winners of the interdepartmental debate of the university were given automatic Scholarship by the University authorities, a development that may be responsible for the keen contest and seriousness shown by the debaters.