By Atlantic Reports

University students in Anambra State will compete for monetary prizes of up to ₦1 million in a debate competition intended to strengthen critical thinking, persuasive speaking and engagement with public issues.

Businessman and philanthropist Dr Ikenna Okafor announced the South-East Campus Debate, Anambra edition, at a news conference in Awka on Saturday.

He said all accredited universities in the state had been invited to participate. Preliminary rounds are scheduled for 17 and 18 October, with the grand finale set for 31 October.

Okafor described the initiative as an effort to revive the culture of intellectual debate in tertiary institutions and encourage students to examine issues shaping their future.

“It is good to love arts and entertainment, but we need to feed the minds of our youths with intellectual discussions to help them determine their future,” he said.

The competition will feature a range of topics, with prizes of up to ₦1 million for the champions. The announcement did not specify the debate motions, judging criteria or how the prize money would be distributed.

Okafor said funding would come through his companies, Keves Global Leasing Ltd. and Ideal Agro Allied Produce Ltd., makers of Afrirootz Foods, alongside the Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabuo Foundation.

According to him, the foundation was established in honour of his late father, Chief Paulinus Okafor. Its support programmes cover pupils, students, people living with sickle cell disease, blind students and widows.

He said the foundation also supported schools in Akwaeze and other communities across Anambra State.

Okafor credited Mac Clem Marketing with introducing the debate competition idea and said he expected the project to expand in subsequent editions.

Also speaking, Dr Esther Okafor encouraged students to participate, saying the programme could help develop young people capable of proposing solutions to societal challenges.

The forthcoming rounds will give participating students an opportunity to test their arguments, engage with competing perspectives and discuss questions beyond their immediate academic work.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.