Anambra students have emerged champions of the UK-Nigeria International Debate Championship, a feat the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo, has hailed as a shining testament to the state’s tradition of academic excellence and intellectual distinction.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Daniel Ezeigwe, Dr Soludo congratulated the team for emerging overall champions at the international virtual tournament held on June 19, 2025.
The competition brought together top-performing secondary schools from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with the Nigerian team clinching first place after a series of intellectually rigorous challenges.
Organised by Bring It On Africa in partnership with Debate Mate UK, the championship was designed to foster cross-cultural dialogue and strengthen critical thinking, oratory, and reasoning skills among secondary school students from both nations.
Representing Nigeria were four elite schools: Britarch Schools, Abuja; Sure Start School, Abuja; St. Augustine’s College, Jos; and Saint John Vianney Science College, Ukwulu. Their UK counterparts included Central Foundation Girls’ School, Maghull High School, and Shireland High School.
The Anambra team—comprising Chibueze Jennifer, Obiokafor Catherine, Eneoli Benjamin, and Onwuegbusi Valentine, under the guidance of coach John Onuigbo—distinguished themselves through eloquence, clarity of thought, and strong argumentation. These qualities ultimately earned them the top spot in the fiercely contested international event.
Dr Soludo said the victory affirms the state’s firm commitment to nurturing excellence through education.
“This feat resonates with the Anambra spirit. Our state continues to mould record-setters and exceptional talents, empowered by the numerous opportunities our administration is creating,” she said.
Dr Soludo added that the students’ success in defeating schools from the UK, some with Ivy League affiliations, reinforces the centrality of education in Anambra’s development agenda.
“By clinching this prestigious prize, these brilliant students have proven once again that the heart of Anambra beats strongly in the pursuit of knowledge. Education remains one of our most cherished values, and this administration continues to invest in it strategically,” she said.
Dr. Soludo extended her appreciation to the staff and management of Saint John Vianney Science College for their commitment to academic excellence and for providing students with platforms to engage in globally impactful experiences.