UI student wins Amnesty International Intervarsity debate competition

The competition featured participation from 16 universities across Nigeria and engaged students in exploring critical discussions on contemporary human rights issues.

The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the aim of the programme was to empower youths in universities to imbibe the culture of debate.

 According to him, debate culture will encourage young people to be tolerant of each other’s views.

“Somebody may even say things that are offensive to you but the extent to which you are able to tolerate that view is a show of your maturity and your humanity, because we can never be the same, no matter what,” Sanusi said.

Sanusi commended the participating universities and lecturers, adding that all the participants were winners.

 He urged them to continue defending human rights in Nigeria for a better society.

Barbara Magaji, Programme Manager at Amnesty International, said the debate was designed to engage university students in exploring human rights issues and foster a new generation of human rights defenders.

“The debate was beyond a competition. It served as a platform for youth engagement, human rights education, public awareness, and advocacy within the country’s human rights landscape,” Magaji said.

Akinlawon, the winner, commended Amnesty International for the initiative and encouraged youths to be courageous in defending human rights.

“I feel excited. This is my first debate outing to represent my school outside.

”One thing that helped me in this debate was the particular style of debate known as British parliamentary style that I used and it worked for me,” Akinlawon said.

The positions were awarded as follows: Miss Odebela Onamela of Baze University, Abuja, came second, Mr. Alexander Boro of the University of Benin, Edo, came third, and Mr. Oladele Oluwanifemi of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, came fourth.