Education
University Of Ibadan Student Wins Amnesty Nigeria’s 2025 Intervarsity Debate
Odebala Odemena of Baze University, Abuja, secured the position of first runner-up, while Alexander Boroh from the University of Benin came in as second runner-up.
A student of the University of Ibadan, Goodluck Ihuoma Akinlawon, has emerged winner of the 2025 edition of Amnesty International Nigeria’s Intervarsity Debate.
Odebala Odemena of Baze University, Abuja, secured the position of first runner-up, while Alexander Boroh from the University of Benin came in as second runner-up.
Amnesty International described this year’s edition as highly competitive, noting an increase in the number of participating universities from the preliminary stages. The grand finale occurred on Thursday at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, congratulated the winners and all participating institutions, adding that the debate continues to grow in quality and impact with each passing year.
“As a global human rights organisation, Amnesty International will continue to empower youth to play a role in our vision of a world in which every person enjoys all human rights,” said Isa Sanusi.
“By equipping students with advocacy and public speaking skills, we are empowering them to lead the conversations on justice, human rights, and accountability.”
“Ending the culture of silence begins with the youth learning that they have a right to speak and to be heard,” Sanusi added.
Themed “Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change,” the debate brought together students from 16 universities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Through structured rounds of argument and advocacy, participants tackled oppressive norms and championed the principles of dignity, justice, and protection of human rights.
According to the organisation, by building students’ skills in advocacy and public speaking, the initiative aims to empower young people to lead conversations on justice, human rights, and accountability.
It asserts that breaking the culture of silence begins with young voices realising their right to speak and be heard.
This marks the third edition of the annual intervarsity debate, designed to promote a culture of critical thinking and rigorous engagement with human rights issues among university students.
This year’s debate featured participation from a diverse range of institutions across Nigeria, including: Landmark University, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt, University of Benin, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, Gombe State University, University of Maiduguri, Baze University, and Benue State University Makurdi.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced a comprehensive list of entrepreneur courses in its new technical education curriculum for tertiary education.
The Kano state government has declared tomorrow, Friday, September 12 equivalent to the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447 AH, a public holiday to mark this year’s Maulud celebration, which commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the government urged residents to celebrate peacefully and in line with the Prophet’s teachings.
“The State Government urges residents to take advantage of this blessed occasion to offer special prayers for peace, prosperity, and the overall progress of Kano State and Nigeria at large,” the statement partly reads.
The statement also encouraged citizens to reflect on the values of unity, tolerance, and respect for lawful authority during the occasion.
Maulud is an annual celebration by muslim faithfuls to mark the birth of the holy prophets. Different sects within the religion conduct the celebration in different ways to show love of the prophet and reflect on his teachings.
The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, has said that it lost valuables, including all students’ academic and graduation gowns worth millions of naira, to a midnight inferno that occurred in a section of the Directorate of Students’ Affairs building.
The devastating fire outbreak reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday last week.
The university’s Deputy Registrar, Corporate Affairs Division, disclosed this in a statement signed by Dr Wale Balogun and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
According to the statement, no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
The statement partly reads: “A devastating fire incident occurred at the Directorate of Students Affairs building on Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025, resulting in significant damage to valuables worth millions of naira.
“The inferno which occurred at the early hours of the fateful day gutted a section of the Students Affairs building at the Main Campus of the university, where valuables that included the students’ academic/graduation gowns were kept.
“Even though, regrettably, the entire graduation gowns were completely razed by the inferno, there were no injuries or casualties reported.”
The statement added that an investigative panel, headed by a distinguished professor in the university, was immediately set up to look into the possible cause of the incident and to ensure the safety and security of the campus.
Members of the university community were encouraged to participate in this investigation by sending a message to the secretary of the panel detailing any observations or recommendations on the incident and fire safety via the WhatsApp line, 08056066643, or email address Kukoyi.oluyemisi@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng.
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