The Rivers State Government has charged Nigerian youths to embrace reason, dialogue and intellectual engagement as instruments for resolving differences and advancing national development.
The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, gave the charge on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 13th All Nigeria Universities Debate Championship (ANUDC 2026), held at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt.
Dr. Nwagor, who represented the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of the Governor, Government and people of Rivers State to the organisers and participants of the Championship.
Speaking on the theme of the Championship, “Reason Over Anarchy: Raising A Generation That Wins With Words,” the Commissioner described it as both timely and significant, stressing that the nation must deliberately raise a generation capable of resolving differences through constructive engagement rather than aggression.
“We live in a time when noise is often mistaken for argument and volume is confused with truth. At such a time, it is important to remind our young people that there is another way — that they can win with words, change the world with reason and lead with argument rather than aggression,” he said.
Addressing the student debaters, Dr. Nwagor noted that the skills acquired through debating — including logical reasoning, evidence-based argument, rhetoric, listening and composure under pressure — are essential qualities required for leadership and nation-building.
He urged the participants to see the Championship not merely as a competition but as an opportunity to develop the capacity to engage people of differing views and backgrounds with mutual respect.
According to him, Nigeria needs citizens who can sit across the table with people who think differently, argue constructively, listen attentively, persuade and, where necessary, be persuaded. He commended the Rivers State University and its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for hosting the national Championship.
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of the Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, to the development of quality education at all levels, and urged the student debaters to live up to the theme of the Championship, reminding them that they represent a generation capable of providing solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.
Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, urged the students to compete with an open mind and critical thinking, to speak with boldness, and to know that whatever the outcome, they would have already presented their position with pride.
The 13th All Nigeria Universities Debate Championship brings together outstanding student debaters from universities across the country to promote critical thinking, intellectual engagement, leadership and constructive national discourse.
