Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged Winner of the Hon Justice Innocent Umezulike National Debate Competition 2024. The competition, which was held recently had four stages keenly contested by undergraduate students from over 20 law faculties across the four regions Nigeria.
The Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike National Debate Competition previously just for law students was this year opened to all undergraduate students across accredited faculties in Nigeria. Its purpose still remains to promote excellent education (legal and otherwise), research, critical thinking and advocacy arming upcoming graduates with choice skills needed for successful careers in law and other fields.
The debate themes, topics, arguments and outcomes serves as an outlet for intellectual reasoning, advocacy and activism by young minds creating awareness on topical issues of national relevance with the aim of providing insight into its solutions. The final round was between Lagos State University (Team Beryl) and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Team Sapphire) with Lagos State University represented by Oladipupo Ramadan Olalekan (Speaker), Ajeniya Abdulquadri Oluwagbemiga (Speaker) and Musendiku Bisola Mulikat (Researcher) emerging as the Winner and Ahmadu Bello University represented by Elizabeth Uche Chris (Speaker), Yusuf Jamiu Olatunji (Speaker), Ephraim Eseoho Edokpa (Researcher), Mustapha Hauwau (Researcher) emerging as the 1st Runner up.
Oladipupo Ramadan Olalekan of Lagos State University, a Computer Science student emerged as the Best Speaker. The award presentation was held in the Lagos State University Moot Court Hall recently. In attendance was the Dean of Law LASU, Prof Olatoye Kareem Adebayo ably represented by the Law Lecturer and Staff Adviser, Barrister Olatunde Miftar Abiodun, Dean of Science, Prof Moses Adebowale Akanbi ably represented by Sub-Dean Dr Saheed Oseni, the awardees and select students. Also present was the Foundation’s Head of Legal, Research and Impact Barr Ruth Soronnadi for the presentation of the award.
The Foundation expressed gratitude to all who partnered with and saw to the success of the debate competition as the 2024 National Debate Competition cash prize- The Center of Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) that took up the Winner Cash award of N200,000, Wola Joseph, who took up the sponsorship of the 1st Runner Up Cash prize award of N100,000 and Integrated Power Africa who took up the Best Speaker Cash Award of N50,000 plus a 3 month internship offer to the Best Speaker.