The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has organised the 2024 7 for 7 National Values Charter Campus Debate with the North East zone battle featuring Yobe State University and Gombe State Polytechnic with the aim of creating awareness on the core values of citizenship.
The zonal final debate topic was “The National Values Charter Striking the Balance Between Government’s Promises and Citizens Responsibilities in Nation Building” held on Tuesday at the Conference Hall of ASUP Secretariat, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.
At the end of the keenly contested debate final which revolved around values of good citizenship, the Panel of Judges declared the pair of Hassana Musa Abubakar and Boyi Lydia Kanku of Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga as winner with a total point of 466 while the pair of Yunusa Abdullahi Barde and Jajere of Yobe State University, Damaturu scored a total of 445 points to emerge runners up.
For emerging winners, the pair of Hassana Musa Abubakar and Boyi Lydia Kanku won the prize money of N5 million while the pair of Yunusa Abdullahi Barde and Jajere won N2million.
Speaking at the event, the Public Engagement executive to the Director General of NOA and Programme Coordinator Join the value Train to Campus Initiative, Tolu Meduna emphasised that the essence of the debate is to sensitise students on the core values of citizenship.
Meduna added that the programme is aimed at raising awareness and consciousness about things that must be done to make Nigerians develop and imbibe the culture of positivity in all ramifications.
According to her, “You cannot rebuild Nigeria without rebuilding Nigerians, that is the essence of this programme. We are starting among students who are the largest area of mix.”
She stressed that the main focus of NOA is on national values charter which has a dual level, from the Government and the citizens which will fashion out a better Nigeria and Nigerians.
In a reaction, the winning pair described the victory as a result of hard work done through deep research and a lot of readings to be able to put a few points together for the competition in spite of the short time couple with the fact that they are currently writing examinations.
The pair assured that having won the ticket to represent the North-East zone at the National Finals, they will go back to do more research and readings in order to understand the topic better considering the fact that the competition will be tougher at that level.
Also reacting, the pair from Yobe State University, said that it was not easy emerging runners up but take solace in the fact that, “We are not going back to Yobe empty handed”. END