Abia State Governor Alex Otti has awarded N1 million each to five students who represented the state and Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.
The governor also announced full educational sponsorship through the Alex Otti Foundation for the captain of the Abia contingent, 15-year-old Esther Christian, up to university level. Christian reportedly lost her father when she was four years old.
Otti announced the rewards while hosting the students at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, where they presented their trophies, medals and certificates.
The governor also awarded N1 million to Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School, winner of a recent National Essay Competition.
He further approved N750,000 each for the officials who accompanied the debate team and N1.75 million for Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham, Osisioma Ngwa, which produced the champions.
Otti congratulated the students, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s education sector through sustained investment, improved infrastructure and expanded access to quality education.
He said celebrating outstanding achievements was part of Abia State’s identity.
“This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you,” the governor said.
Otti also approved the students’ request to take part in the 2027 edition of the competition, noting that despite progress in the education sector, more work remained.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, said the achievements so far were only the beginning, adding that the positive impact of the government’s investment in education was becoming increasingly clear.
He expressed confidence that the investments would yield positive results.
The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lydia Ezinne Onuoha, who led the team to the international competition, said the students had distinguished themselves beyond mere participation.
She said the team dominated the competition and drew significant attention.
She disclosed that during the final rounds, the students were given impromptu topics with only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments. The team won four trophies and twelve medals, defeating six countries.
According to her, the team clinched the Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Debater and Best Leadership awards.
They also ranked among the top ten speakers in the tournament, which featured over 84 teams.
The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, Elder Oritu Dare, commended Governor Otti for the state’s infrastructural development, noting a huge difference between his previous visits during past administrations and the present.
He said the victory has created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore.
The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Mrs Unyime Umoette, appreciated Governor Otti for the positive changes in the state, particularly in education, noting that public schools are becoming more functional.
She called on public office holders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.
Speaking on behalf of the champions’ parents, Mr Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for hosting the students and investing in education, saying they are proud of their success at an international competition.
In response, the Team Captain, Miss Esther Christian, who narrated their success story, thanked the governor for his commitment to education and the officials for believing in them, and promised they would continue to make Abia and Nigeria proud.
She requested the governor’s approval for their participation in next year’s edition of the competition, and the governor approved it immediately.
Parents of the champion team and senior government appointees attended the event.
