NEWS
When You Do Well, We Celebrate You — Gov. Alex Otti Affirms, Rewards Qatar Debate Champions With ₦1m Each, Offers Captain Full University Scholarship
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has rewarded the five students who represented Abia State and Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar, with ₦1 million each in recognition of their outstanding performance on the international stage.
In a further demonstration of his administration’s commitment to education and the empowerment of young talents, Governor Otti announced a full educational scholarship through the Alex Otti Foundation (AOF) for the captain of the Abia contingent, 15-year-old Miss Esther Christian, who lost her father when she was just four years old. The scholarship will cover her education up to university level.
The Governor made the announcements on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, while hosting the victorious students and their officials in celebration of their remarkable achievements at the international competition.
Beyond rewarding the debate champions, Governor Otti extended financial recognition to other outstanding contributors to education in the state. He awarded ₦1 million to Miss Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School, who emerged winner of the recent National Essay Competition.
The officials who accompanied the debate team received ₦750,000 each, while Abia Junior Model Secondary School, Umuahia, which produced the victorious team, was awarded ₦1.75 million.
The governor also presented the students with their trophies, medals and certificates, commending them for bringing honour to Abia State and Nigeria through their intellectual excellence, teamwork and determination.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otti congratulated the students and reiterated his administration’s determination to transform Abia’s education sector through sustained investment, improved school infrastructure and expanded access to quality education.
He emphasised that recognising and celebrating excellence remains an important part of the state’s identity, assuring students and other high-performing individuals that their achievements would not go unnoticed.
The Governor also approved the debate team’s request to participate in the 2027 edition of the international competition, demonstrating his willingness to support the students as they seek to build on their success. While acknowledging the progress recorded in the education sector, Otti noted that more work remained to be done to achieve the desired transformation.
His administration has continued to prioritise education as a critical pillar of human capital development, with investments aimed at improving learning environments, strengthening public schools and creating opportunities for students to excel both locally and internationally.
In her presentation, the Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs. Lydia Ezinne Onuoha, who led the delegation to Qatar, revealed that the students distinguished themselves throughout the competition, emerging as one of the most outstanding teams among the participating countries.
According to her, the Abia contingent did not merely participate in the championship but established its dominance through exceptional performances that attracted international attention.
She explained that during the five final rounds, the students were presented with impromptu debate topics and given only 15 minutes to prepare their arguments before taking the stage. Despite the demanding format, the team delivered an impressive performance, winning four trophies and twelve medals after competing against representatives from six countries.
Among their major achievements were the awards for Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Debater and Best Leadership. The students also secured places among the tournament’s top ten speakers, competing in a championship that featured more than 84 teams.
The achievement underscores the intellectual capabilities of students in Abia’s public education system and highlights the potential of sustained investment in education to produce young people capable of competing successfully on the global stage.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, described the team’s success as evidence that the impact of the government’s investment in education was gradually becoming visible. He expressed confidence that the achievements recorded so far represented only the beginning of a broader transformation, adding that continued investment would produce even more positive outcomes for students and the state’s education system.
Similarly, the Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs. Unyime Umoette, commended Governor Otti for the changes taking place across the state, particularly in the public education sector. She observed that public schools were becoming increasingly functional and called on public office holders to adopt schools within their communities and contribute to their development.
Her appeal highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in strengthening the education system and ensuring that government investments translate into better learning opportunities for children across Abia State.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, Elder Oritu Dare, praised Governor Otti for the infrastructural development taking place in Abia State. He noted that the difference between his previous visits during past administrations and his current experience was significant, expressing appreciation for the visible changes in the state.
Dare further disclosed that the team’s impressive performance in Qatar had created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the international competition scheduled to hold in Singapore.
The development represents another opportunity for Nigerian students to showcase their intellectual abilities, exchange ideas with their international counterparts and strengthen the country’s presence in global academic competitions.
Speaking on behalf of the parents of the victorious students, Mr. Akamnonu Christopher expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for hosting the team and recognising the students’ achievements. He commended the governor’s investment in education and said the parents were proud that their children had successfully represented Abia State and Nigeria at an international competition.
The team captain, Miss Esther Christian, also expressed appreciation to the governor for his commitment to education and to the officials who supported and believed in the team’s abilities. She recounted the team’s success story and pledged that the students would continue to work hard to make Abia State and Nigeria proud in future competitions.
Christian also formally requested the Governor’s approval for the team’s participation in the 2027 edition, a request that was subsequently granted.
The event was attended by parents of the champion students and senior appointees of the Abia State Government.
Governor Otti’s recognition of the students, coupled with the scholarship awarded to their captain, further reinforces the importance of investing in young people, rewarding excellence and ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent talented students from pursuing their educational ambitions.
For the victorious Abia team, the Doha championship has become more than an international triumph. It has opened new opportunities, attracted recognition at home and strengthened their prospects
of representing Nigeria again on the global stage.