The Faculties of Dentistry and Clinical Sciences have emerged as the Overall Winners, and Second Runner-Up, respectively, at the 13th Edition of the Lanre Bello Inter-Faculty Debate, which took place on the 8th of November, 2024, at the First Bank Building, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan.
The Faculty of Dentistry also won the Debate and Oratory categories, with Faculty of Clinical Sciences emerging second runner-up in the Oratory section, at the competition organised by the Junior Chamber International, University of Ibadan.
The annual event, themed “Empowering a Sustainable Future: The Intersection of Accessible Education and Technology”, for this edition, began with an address from the JCI UI President, Mr. Gbemileke Onifade, and a keynote speech by Mr. Kelechi Paul Uchenna, before the contests proceeded.
In the debate category, 17 Faculties paired as follows; Clinical Science vs Environmental Design, Education vs Public Health vs. Nursing, Economics and Management Sciences vs. Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences vs. Law, Dentistry vs. Social Sciences, Arts vs. Vet. Medicine, Pharmacy vs. Sciences, and Technology vs. Renewable Natural Resources. The face-offs centered around topics that explored the use of novel technological innovations for improvement in the educational system, in Nigeria.
For the oratory, representatives from each faculty delivered three-minute speeches on the topic, “Empowering a sustainable future: The intersection of Accessible Education and Technology”.
At the end of the Contest, in the Debate category, the top three were the Faculties of Dentistry (75%), Science (71.7%), and Law (70%). Dentistry also won the Oratory category, with 68.5%, ahead of Science (68%), and Clinical Sciences (66%). The Best Debater and Best Orator awards went to Okelue Patrick and Eunice Omotainse, respectively, both of the Faculty of Dentistry.
Overall, Clinical Sciences claimed the Second Runner-Up (67.5%), Science, First Runner-Up (69.85%), and Dentistry, Winners (71.75%), with a 50,000 Naira cash prize to boot.
Clinical Sciences was represented by fifth-year UIMSAites, Onyinyechi Osisiogwu and Folusho Olu-Adegbola, in the Oratory and Debate categories, respectively.
Speaking with our correspondent, Onyinchechi, said, “I would say it does feel very good, it feels rewarding because the ABH L & D had put in a lot of effort in putting together the speeches, internalizing and delivering properly and it is nice seeing our efforts pay off. It is very satisfying and also personally encourages me in my journey as a public speaker as I am still very new to it, and it is reassuring, as I believe that with more time and practice, it will only get better as I will continue to put in more effort.”
Also speaking with the UIMSA Press, Eunice said; “I’m really grateful to God for the win. I couldn’t have had the courage to even do this without God. Also, a big shout out to the ABH LnD for coaching me- Coach Obeya, Oluwatosin, Patrick and the other speakers. They really poured a lot into us, and stretched us to do well, and for this I’m grateful.”
Moshood Sidiq