Students from Abia Model Junior Secondary School returned home to a hero's welcome on Saturday, walking into the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia to cheers and a serious cash prize. Governor Otti was there to personally announce the reward: one million naira for each member of the contingent that won the world debate championship.
It is the kind of moment that reminds you what happens when young people are given the tools and the stage to compete. These students went up against the world and brought the title back to Abia State.
Governor Otti's gesture puts real money behind that achievement, and the question now is what this means for how the state invests in academic competitions going forward.
Originally published by Premium Times.