Asaba, Delta State – August 14, 2025 – Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has rewarded members of the state’s debate team who won the 2025 World Basic Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar, with a whopping N20 million each.
The five students, along with their coaches and handlers, received the same amount in appreciation of their hard work and for bringing pride to both Delta State and Nigeria on the global stage.
At a ceremony in Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori congratulated the champions, decorated them with their medals, and accepted the championship trophy from Elder Dare Oritu, the National Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Nigeria.
“Delta State is not only known for oil, comedy, music, and sports. We are also recognized for brilliance in education,” the Governor said. “This reward is to inspire other young people to be focused, work hard, and excel in their studies.”
He praised the students’ parents, their coach, and the handlers for their support, describing education as “the most valuable legacy any parent can give to their children.” He also encouraged other students to follow the champions’ example of hard work, discipline, and focus*, which he said could help reduce crime and promote positive values among young people.
Introducing the winners, Hon. Samuel Mariere, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), thanked the Governor for his constant support of education in Delta. He recalled that before the team’s departure for Qatar, the Governor prayed for their success and had already been the first to pay the 2025 counterpart funding for UBEC-SUBEB projects.
Speaking on behalf of the champions, Splendour Ikhamateh of Government Model Secondary School, Asaba, said the competition challenged them to debate global issues like climate change, youth empowerment, and responsible technology use.
She admitted that they had initial doubts but found courage in what she called “the spirit of Delta”—the determination to excel and represent every basic school student in the state.
With this victory, the young champions have not only earned international recognition but also set an example for other students in Delta and across Nigeria to aim for excellence.
