Amnesty International Nigeria has flagged off its maiden secondary schools debate aimed at sharpening student’s critical thinking and strengthening their public speaking skills.
According to the organisation, the debate was designed to provide senior secondary school students with a platform to sharpen their critical thinking, strengthen their public speaking skills, and engage with pressing human rights issues in Nigeria.
The event which was held in Asaba, Delta state capital is theme, “Secondary Schools Debate: Becoming a Child Rights Champion.”
It also reflects Amnesty International’s commitment to empowering young people to become voices for justice within their schools and communities.
The Programmes Manger, Amnesty International Nigeria, Barbara Shitnaan Magaji, who spoke at the event, said the debate was to engage the students on human rights issues.
Mrs. Magaji explained that the topics for the debates were carefully selected to sensitise the students on their rights saying that most children were not knowledgeable about their rights.
According to her, ” as an organisation, we do human rights education and as part of our strategies, we organised debates. We have always done debates with students at the tertiary levels but this is the first time we are doing this among secondary schools.”
“So, it is better to groom the children now to know their rights and from what we have seen today, the students have done well.
” The process has started in Delta, the debate would be taking through other states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to sensitise them on their rights.
“So, the first thing is that we are here to inform the children about their rights; in this debate, all the topics have one issue of human rights or the other;
“The rights of children to choice but also the parental guidance of choosing their career, schools, staying with relatives among other topics were debated to expose them to know their rights and to engage in healthy competitions among their peers.
“The children through this sensitisation will become knowledgeable about the Nigeria society and about amnesty,”
She noted that the prizes were designed to support the students education and for their well being.
Miss Rejoice Ilozor of Brain Theater Academy, emagered overall winner of the debate with a cash prize award of One Million Naira.
While Miss Onyedikachukwu Anaziah of Marble Hill School and Master Ezeike Akachukwu of Africa Elites College, emerged second and third positions, wining N750,000 and N500,000 cash prizes respectively. Other participating schools got consolations prizes.
