The importance of education to any nation cannot be over-emphasized. In most parts of the world, education is regarded as a fundamental human right and this accounts for the reason behind the huge investment in the sector by most nations in the world. Education is indeed, one of the basic criteria to measure the growth and development index of any nation.
Here in Delta State, there is absolutely no doubt that education is a huge industry where successive administrations have invested in infrastructural development and capacity building of personnel in the sector. The investment portfolio in the education sector by the present and past administrations in the state is quite noticeable in the basic, secondary and tertiary levels of education in the state.
It is an incontrovertible fact that the strategic investment in the sector by the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration since it came on board on May 29, 2023, is yielding impressive results. Only recently, students from Delta State emerged champions at the 2025 National Basic Education Debate Championship, earning the prestigious honour of representing Nigeria at the forthcoming World Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.
The competition, organised by the Presidential School Debate, brought together top young debaters from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to showcase their oratory skills, critical thinking, and teamwork. The winning team from Delta State comprises Wisdom Chukwuma of Government College, Ughelli; Otorvo Uyoyou of Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun; Abraham Honour of Okpaka Secondary School, Okpaka; Ekhamateh Splendour of Government Model Secondary School, Asaba and Alika Daniel of Utagba-Ogbe Grammar School, Kwale.
Distinguishing themselves through compelling argumentation, eloquence, and a firm grasp of contemporary issues, the Delta team outperformed their peers in a series of intense rounds to clinch the top spot. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in Delta State’s educational advancement efforts under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Receiving the students at Government House, Governor Oborevwori described their victory as a testament to his administration’s unwavering commitment to education, saying “I am truly delighted by the intellectual depth and eloquence demonstrated by these students. They are true ambassadors of Delta State.
“This win proves that our investments in education through school renovation, teacher recruitment and training, provision of instructional materials, and promotion of extracurricular activities are yielding tangible results.”
Governor Oborevwori emphasized the transformative power of education, describing it as the bedrock of any successful life, even as he expressed particular pride that the students, though trained locally, could stand tall on any global stage.
“When I see children of this age speak so intelligently, I am very happy. These are not children trained abroad; they are home-grown talents, nurtured here in Delta State. It shows how much we value education,” he said, noting that their success would further inspire his administration to deepen investments in the educational sector.
“Representing Nigeria on the global stage means you have already made us proud. Winning the national debate confirms we are on the right path. It motivates us to do even more for our children,” the Governor added, pointing out that, as part of his administration’s MORE Agenda, the state government would fully sponsor the students’ trip to the World Schools Debate Championship in Qatar.
According to him, Delta State is proud to sponsor the students’ international trip without hesitation, stressing that the state government was equally committed to supporting other talented Deltans who can represent the state positively. He, therefore, charged the students to be of good conduct, listen to their coaches, and seize the opportunity to learn and grow from the international exposure.
“As you embark on this trip, we expect you to conduct yourselves honourably, learn as much as you can, and return successfully. By God’s grace, you will come back victorious in Jesus’ name,” he prayed. While reiterating the state’s can-do spirit, Oborevwori assured the team of their potential for global success, saying, “Delta no dey carry last.”
“You are champions already, and I believe you will achieve even greater things at the world competition. This debate is not just an event, it is a foundation for your future,” he added, even as he, also, commended the students’ parents for their support and upbringing, urging the team to make their families and the state proud.
“You are the ambassadors of this state. The future lies in your hands. With the right training and support, there is no limit to what you can achieve. I wish you journey mercies and pray that you will return with victory. You have started well and you will finish well, in Jesus’ name,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, congratulated the students for being worthy representatives of the state, commending their stellar performance at the national level.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his continued support. Hon. Mariere who later spoke in an interview with Government House correspondents shortly after the students were presented before the Governor, said the strategic investment in the education sector of the state by Governor Oborevwori’s administration was yielding impressive results.
He said the excellent performance of students from the state at the national competition was a direct product of the state government’s strategic investment in education. He noted that both past and present administrations in the state had invested massively in education, pointing out that the Oborevwori’s administration has done so much through the MORE Agenda which, he said, led to the re-organisation that is going on in the basic school sector of the state.
According to him, the employment of teachers, training and retraining of teaching and non-teaching staff as well the provision of instructional materials and the rest, are testaments of the Oborevwori administration’s sustained commitment to re-engineering the education sector for optimum productivity.
Hon. Mariere who was highly elated over the inspiring performance of the students from Delta State at the national competition, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his continued support to educational development at all levels in the state.
“We sincerely thank you for the logistics and financial support provided for the championship. The children have made Delta State very proud, and we promise to give our best as we prepare for the World Championship,” he said.
Also speaking, the leader of the victorious team, Master Wisdom Chukwuma, thanked Governor Oborevwori for his contributions to improving school infrastructure and for his encouragement throughout the national competition, just as he assured that the team would make both the state and the nation proud on the world stage.
“We are adequately prepared to do our best at the forthcoming World Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar and by the grace of God, we shall come back with flying colours after conquering the world,” Master Chukwuma said.
