Okafor Launches South-East Campus Debate in Anambra, Offers ₦1m Prize for Champions
Chief Dr. Sir Ikenna Okafor (middle)
Chief Dr. Sir Ikenna Okafor has announced the commencement of the South-East Campus Debate, Anambra State edition, an initiative aimed at promoting intellectual development, critical thinking and persuasive communication skills among university students.
Okafor disclosed this during a press briefing to formally launch the competition, explaining that the initiative was designed to encourage students to engage in meaningful discussions on issues affecting their future and the development of society.
The competition, which will feature accredited universities across Anambra State, will hold its preliminary rounds on October 17 and 18, 2026, while the grand finale is scheduled for October 31, 2026.
The overall champions are expected to receive monetary rewards of up to ₦1 million.
Speaking at the briefing, Okafor said the initiative was driven by his desire to see young people devote more time to intellectual engagement, public discourse and the development of ideas capable of shaping the nation’s future.
According to him, the competition is intended to provide students with a platform to demonstrate their intellectual abilities, sharpen their reasoning and debating skills, and develop the confidence required to become effective leaders.
He noted that while there were numerous platforms for entertainment and other extracurricular activities, including reality television programmes, there was a need to create more opportunities for young people to participate in constructive intellectual competitions.
“In tandem with my dream that our students, the leaders of tomorrow, should spare a good portion of their time discussing matters that affect our future and become champions and drivers of it, we decided to engage their intellect in this direction,” he said.
Recalling his own experience as a student, Okafor said he had participated successfully in quiz and debate competitions during his school days and believed the tradition should be sustained and improved upon for the benefit of younger generations.
He explained that the competition would bring together students from accredited universities in Anambra State, providing them with an opportunity to exchange ideas, engage in healthy intellectual rivalry and develop skills that would remain valuable throughout their academic and professional lives.
The participating institutions invited to the competition include Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; Paul University, Awka; Madonna University, Okija; Tansian University, Umunya; Peter University, Achina-Onneh; University on the Niger, Umunya; Shanahan University, Onitsha; and Legacy University, Okija.
Okafor stressed that although the competition offered monetary prizes, its greatest reward would be the intellectual growth, confidence and persuasive abilities participants would acquire.
He added that the initiative was only the beginning of a broader vision that would be expanded in subsequent editions.
The competition is being sponsored through the support of companies and organisations associated with Okafor, including Keves Global Leasing Limited, Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited, makers of Afrirootz Foods, and the Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabuo Foundation.
According to him, the foundation was established in honour of his late father, Chief Paulinus Okafor, popularly known as Nzekwuabuo, to sustain his legacy through humanitarian and community-development interventions.
He said the foundation had demonstrated its commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society through scholarships and educational assistance for pupils and students at primary, secondary and university levels, as well as support for persons living with sickle cell disease, blind students and widows.
The foundation, he added, had also intervened in schools across Akwaeze and extended assistance to other communities whenever the need arose.
“Our mantra is ‘O ko ko koo, onye enyelu ya nye’,” he said, describing the philosophy as an expression of the importance of giving and looking out for one another.
Okafor invited members of the public to witness the foundation’s activities during its annual gathering on December 28.
He expressed appreciation to the management of Mac Clem Marketing for bringing the debate initiative to him and urged journalists to publicise the competition widely to encourage participation and promote intellectual development among young people.
He described the media’s involvement as an important contribution towards building a better society through education, critical thinking and constructive public engagement.
Okafor, who holds the traditional title of Ide Akwaeze na Neni, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote education, youth development and community welfare.
