A philanthropist and businessman, Dr Ikenna Okafor, has launched an initiative to revive intellectual debates among university students in Anambra, urging youths to devote more time to discussions that will shape their future and contribute to national development.
Okafor disclosed this at a news conference in Awka on Saturday ahead of the South-East Campus Debate, Anambra edition, scheduled for Oct. 17 and 18, with the grand finale fixed for Oct. 31.
He said the competition was designed to strengthen students’ critical thinking, persuasive communication and problem-solving skills while encouraging them to engage meaningfully with issues affecting society.
According to him, the initiative seeks to restore the culture of intellectual engagement in tertiary institutions and inspire students to develop ideas that can address Nigeria’s challenges.
“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, we decided to engage their intellect in this direction,” he said.
Okafor acknowledged the importance of arts and entertainment but stressed the need to balance them with intellectual activities capable of broadening young people’s understanding of national issues.
“It is good to love arts and entertainment, but we need to feed the minds of our youths with intellectual discussions to help them determine their future,” he added.
He said all accredited universities in Anambra had been invited to participate in the competition, which would feature debates on various topics.
The winning team would receive a monetary prize of up to N1 million, according to the sponsor, who expressed optimism that the initiative would expand in subsequent editions.
Okafor said the competition was being funded through his companies, Keves Global Leasing Ltd. and Ideal Agro Allied Produce Ltd., makers of Afrirootz Foods, alongside the Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabuo Foundation.
He explained that the foundation was established in honour of his late father, Chief Paulinus Okafor, to support pupils and students, persons living with sickle cell disease, blind students and widows.
He added that the foundation also intervened in schools in Akwaeze and other communities in Anambra whenever the need arose.
The philanthropist appreciated Mac Clem Marketing for introducing the debate initiative, describing the forthcoming competition as the beginning of a project intended to grow in scope and impact over time.
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Also speaking, Dr Esther Okafor, wife of the sponsor, urged university students to participate actively, describing the programme as an opportunity to develop young people capable of generating ideas and providing solutions to societal challenges.
“This is a programme that will help build right-thinking, solution-oriented youths with a can-do spirit to drive the desired change in society,” she said.
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