OAU, UI, UNILAG clash at debate competition
Sodiq Oyeleke
Known for their distinguished position in academics and
extra-curricular activities, three great Nigerian universities meet to compete
for best in aro (euphemism for mad display), debate and football competitions.
The three universities - Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos – are represented by
contestants from Awolowo Hall, Nnamdi Azikwe Hall and Mariere Hall
respectively.
According to the Literary and Debating Society of the Nnamdi
Azikwe Hall,UI who organised the programme, the competitions were not only for
the joke of it; it was also to test the intellectual capacity of the
participants.
The programme which was held in honour of Prof. Francis
Suleiman Idachaba, featured “Secession: panacea to Nigeria's socio-political
quagmire” as its topic.
After the keenly contested competitions amidst entertaining
atmosphere, Zik hall won the debate
competition with 132 points while Awo Hall and Mariere Hall came second and
third with 112 and 102 respectively.
In the Aro competition, Awo Hall defeated the Zik Hall. The
two halls drew in the five-aside football competition.
During the debate, the Akokites speakers, Adewale Tosin and
Amusan Oludare, cited the 1914 amalgamation and the 1966 coup, saying the
improper utilization of resources was Nigeria’s greatest problem.
They explained that the family is the root of corruption, arguing
that secession cannot be solution to Nigeria's problem.
In their own submission, Adedayo Adegeye and Usang Enang of
the Zik Hall, said that 99 years after amalgamation and 53 years after
independence, secession cannot be panacea to Nigeria’s problem.
Usang Enang who recalled ling how the old Soviet Union was splitted
into many countries, said “Though the Igbos are marginalised but what we need
is unity. We see ourselves as member of an ethnic group first rather than
Nigerians. It was trite to engage in secession after all the pains and sufferings
of colonialism”
Representing Awolowo Hall, Ogundele Taiwo , described the
country as a conglomeration of many regions.
Taiwo who spoke in support for secession, lamented that the
country has suffered enough from tribalism and nepotism.
He said, “The Hausa dominated the Civil Service and Military
ranks. They continue to marginalised others and you say we shouldn't secede.
The revenue allocation formula is unequal. For how long shall we continie to
suffer?”
OAU second speaker, Tope Akinyode, argued that Nigeria
cannot be successfully called a nation. He added, "99 years after
amalgamation, Academic Staff Union of Universities is on strike, Boko Haram is
at work and we call ourselves a Nation.”
The chairman of Mariere hall, Adelaja Ajayi commended the
efforts and the intellectual capacity of the participants.
“Thank you all for your participation. To the Ife boys, your
display was nice. But you cannot do this in UNILAG and go scot free. They would
think that you want to do aluta. Campus has been turned into graveyard
forgetting that one needs to rest after academic stress. I hope to bring this
culture into our school,” he said.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
0 comments:
Post a Comment