Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu , Thursday honoured students of the Faculty of Law for emerging victorious in a National Universities Commission – National Youth Service Corps debate championship, with the Vice Chancellor, Rev Fr Prof. Christian Anieke, describing the achievement as another proof of the university’s culture of excellence.
Addressing students, lecturers and guests during the celebration held at the Peter Mbah Auditorium of the University, Prof. Anieke expressed pride in the debate champions,
Egbogu Favour, and Kosisochukwu Ajoyi saying the victory reflected the discipline, academic rigour and quality training for which the university had become known.
“I congratulate you. I’m so proud of the two of you,” the Vice Chancellor declared while applauding the winners. He recalled how he declared during the university’s first convocation in 2013 that “the eagle has taken off and there is no stopping it,” stressing that the institution had continued to record success stories across different faculties.
According to him, the Faculty of Law has maintained an impressive record at the Nigerian Law School, while the College of Medicine has also distinguished itself with outstanding academic performances. ““The narrative is success, whether in the law faculty or elsewhere,” he said.
Prof. Anieke noted that the university’s strict academic environment and tough mentoring system were intentionally designed to prepare students for excellence in their future careers.
“The discipline you are getting from this place cannot be in vain. The rigour of academic preparation you are getting cannot be in vain,” he told the students.
The Vice Chancellor further announced cash rewards for the debate champions and other outstanding students during the event.
He disclosed that the university management approved a N500,000 reward package for the winners, while he personally pledged additional financial gifts, including 100 Euros each for the champions.
The champions presenting their gift to the Vice Chancellor,Rev Fr Prof Christian Anieke
An Alumnus of the University , Grace also received a special cash reward of N200,000 from the Vice Chancellor for bringing honour and recognition to the university..making first class at the Law School.
Prof. Anieke urged the students not to relent, insisting that the victory should inspire others in the faculty to aim higher.”Now that the bar has been set high, please don’t lower it,” he charged the students.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Law said the debate victory showed that the faculty remained the flagship of the university and would continue to produce students capable of excelling nationally and internationally.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. We will soar higher and higher like the eagle,” the Dean stated.
He assured the university management that the faculty would continue to uphold discipline, excellence and professionalism while preparing students for greater accomplishments.
The event drew lecturers, students, journalists and guests who joined the university community in celebrating the debate champions and the growing academic reputation of the institution.
Speaking at the celebration, one of the winners of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Debate Championship and a 400-level Law student of Godfrey Okoye University, Egbogu Favour, narrated her journey to the championship, recounting the efforts, challenges, and determination that pushed her to success.
She said despite moments of doubt and difficulties along the way, she found the courage to keep improving and eventually emerged victorious. Favour thanked God for His blessings and expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Christian Anieke, for his unwavering support to the debate team.
The student debater also encouraged young people, especially girls who may feel shy, discouraged, or belittled, not to give up on themselves.
“Any boy or girl who is shy, any girl who has been belittled for being a girl or for not doing well should rise up and know that they can make it,” she said, while promising to one day win a world debate competition.
The champions said they faced established debating giants, including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)—institutions that have dominated the Nigerian debating circuit for over five years. By contrast, Godfrey Okoye University only entered the competitive debating scene in 2024.
The students attributed their victory to weeks of rigorous self-drilling and personal coaching alongside the official NUC training modules. They further disclosed that the grand finale followed the British Parliamentary (BP) debate format, where they were tasked to speak first as the Opening Government (OG).
The celebration
On his part, a representative of Royal Rhetorics and the National Universities Commission, Nweke Stanley, explained that the competition was organised by the NUC in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps in May.
According to him, participants and trainers from universities across the country underwent intensive training sessions facilitated by experts who had spoken on global stages on the art of public speaking and critical engagement in debate.
He disclosed that the championship featured 74 universities, 213 participants, and 109 teams from across Nigeria, noting that out of the large number of contestants, two students from Godfrey Okoye University emerged champions.
Stanley further revealed that Egbogu defeated former champions during the competition, describing the feat as remarkable and a testament to the quality of training and resilience demonstrated by the university’s debate team.
