Abia Governor Alex Otti Awards Scholarship to Orphaned Debate Champion, 15
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has awarded a full scholarship up to university level to Esther Christian, a 15-year-old student who captained the state’s debate team to victory at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.
Esther, who lost her father at the age of four, will receive the scholarship through 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.
Otti announced the rewards while hosting the victorious students at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, Abia State.
Abia debate team wins four trophies and 12 medals
The Abia team impressed at the international championship, competing against more than 84 teams and defeating representatives of six countries, according to the Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Lydia Ezinne Onuoha.
Onuoha, who led the team to Qatar, said the students won four trophies and 12 medals. Their awards included Best International School Debate Team, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Debater and Best Leadership.
The students also ranked among the tournament’s top 10 speakers.
She explained that the competition tested the participants’ ability to think quickly and present convincing arguments. During the five final rounds, contestants received impromptu topics and had only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments.
Governor rewards students, school and officials
Beyond Esther Christian’s scholarship, Otti awarded ₦1 million each to the five members of the debate team.
He also presented ₦1 million to Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School, who won a recent national essay competition.
Officials who accompanied the debate team received ₦750,000 each, while Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham, Osisioma Ngwa, which produced the debate champions, received ₦1.75 million.
The governor presented trophies, medals and certificates to the students and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving education through investment, better infrastructure and wider access to quality learning.
“This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well, we celebrate you,” Otti said.
He also approved the team’s request to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition.
Education officials welcome debate team’s achievement
The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, Oritu Dare, said the team’s success had created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore. He also commended the governor for infrastructure development in Abia State.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, described the achievements as an early sign of progress and expressed confidence that continued investment would deliver further improvements.
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Similarly, the Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Unyime Umoette, said public schools were becoming more functional. She urged public office holders to adopt schools in their communities and support their development.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for hosting the students and supporting education.
Esther Christian pledges to make Abia proud
In her remarks, Esther Christian expressed gratitude to Alex Otti and the officials who supported the debate team.
She pledged that the students would continue to work hard and make Abia State and Nigeria proud.
The scholarship and financial rewards mark a major recognition of the students’ performance at the international championship, while the team’s approval to compete in 2027 gives them another opportunity to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
