Otti Offers Scholarship to Orphaned Debate Champion, Rewards Qatar Competition Winners
By Titus Eleweke
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has offered a full educational scholarship up to university level to 15-year-old Miss Esther Christian, captain of the Abia State debate team that represented Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Esther, who lost her father when she was just four years old, will have her education sponsored by the Alex Otti Foundation.
The Governor also awarded ₦1 million each to the five students who represented Abia State and Nigeria at the international competition in recognition of their outstanding performance.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ctz. Ukoha, Njoku Ukoha, Governor Otti made the announcements on Saturday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, while hosting the victorious students and celebrating their remarkable achievement on the international stage.
The scholarship awarded to Esther stood out among the rewards announced at the ceremony, offering the young debate champion an opportunity to pursue her education through university with financial support from the Alex Otti Foundation.
The Governor also awarded ₦1 million to Miss Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School, winner of the recent National Essay Competition, while the officials who accompanied the debate team received ₦750,000 each.
Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham, in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, which produced the champion team, received ₦1.75 million.
Presenting the students with their trophies, medals and certificates, Governor Otti congratulated them on their accomplishments and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s education sector through sustained investment, improved infrastructure and expanded access to quality education.
He described the celebration of outstanding achievements as part of Abia’s identity, stressing that students who distinguish themselves through hard work and excellence deserve recognition and encouragement.
“This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti also approved the students’ request to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition, assuring them of his administration’s continued support for their educational and intellectual development.
He noted, however, that despite the progress recorded in the education sector, more work remained to be done to achieve the desired transformation.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, said the achievements recorded in the state’s education sector represented only the beginning, adding that the positive impact of the government’s interventions was gradually becoming evident.
Ubochi expressed confidence that investments in education would yield fruitful results and create more opportunities for students to excel academically and compete favourably at national and international levels.
The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Lydia Ezinne Onuoha, who led the team to the international competition, said the students had gone beyond merely participating in the championship to dominate the contest and attract widespread attention.
She disclosed that during the five final rounds, the students were presented with impromptu topics and given only 15 minutes to prepare their arguments before delivering their presentations.
Despite the pressure and limited preparation time, the Abia team won four trophies and 12 medals, defeating representatives from six countries.
According to Onuoha, the students won the Best International School Debate Team award, the Overall Best Team in the Junior Category award, the Best Debater award and the Best Leadership award.
The team also produced speakers who ranked among the top 10 in the tournament, which featured more than 84 teams.
The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, Elder Oritu Dare, commended Governor Otti for the infrastructural development taking place in the state, noting that there was a significant difference between what he observed during previous visits under past administrations and the situation during his latest visit.
Dare said the Abia team’s victory had also created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition, scheduled to take place in Singapore.
The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs Unyime Umoette, also commended the Governor for the changes being recorded in the state, particularly in the education sector.
She observed that public schools were becoming more functional and called on public office holders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.
Speaking on behalf of the parents of the victorious students, Mr Akamnonu Christopher thanked the Governor for hosting the champions and investing in education in the state.
He said the students’ performance at the international competition had brought pride to their families and the state, adding that their success demonstrated the potential of pupils in public schools when given the necessary support and opportunities.
In her response, the team captain, Miss Esther Christian, recounted the team’s journey to success and expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his commitment to education and to the officials who believed in the students’ abilities.
She assured the Governor that the team would continue to work hard to make Abia State and Nigeria proud. She also formally requested the Governor’s approval for the team to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition.
The event was attended by the parents of the champion team and senior appointees of the Abia State Government.
