UI Shines in Super Bowl Debate as Ugochukwu Clinches Gold

Faosiyat Oderinlo & Olubode Racheal 

Chineke Ugochukwu, a student of the University of Ibadan emerged the winner of the Eight Edition of the Super Bowl Debate Competition themed “This is Nigeria” hosted at the Alumni Hall, University of Ibadan, on the 20th of December, 2024.

The oratory contest featured 13 institutions with 1 representative each. The institutions in attendance were Abiola Ajumobi Technical University, University of Ibadan, Federal School of Survey, Oyo, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology Igboora, Oyo State, Ajayi Crowther University, Lead City University, Dominican University, Atiba University, Oyo, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo State, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Federal College of Animal Health and Production, Ibadan, Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.

The competition had three rounds. In the first round, each representative spoke on the theme “This is Nigeria”. The second round was a pix-prompter session, where the participants were told to give an impromptu speech on the pictures shown, the last round was a speech on “Heroes of today”.

Chineke Ugochukwu emerged the winner with 68.1%, Jacintha Nwachukwu from Dominican University with 66.9% came second and Kolade Daniella from Abiola Ajumobi Technical University ended the competition in third place with 63.2%.

Fisayo Soyombo, the keynote speaker, gave a speech on the theme “This is Nigeria” emphasizing how corruption and mismanagement of funds are rooted in the system. Mr Soyombo, a former Superbowl contestant and an investigative journalist, while speaking to AFAS Press reiterated that the solution to every Nigerian problem lies in the agency created to solve it. He also mentioned that it is very important that Nigerians identify the problems and how to solve them.

“The  major problem Nigeria has is it’s value system as it is believed that all a person needs to be important in the country is if the person is wealthy. We  need to go back to a system that values hardwork, honest work, dignity of labour, where people need to know they can be important to the society without being rich,” he said.

The superbowl, a battle of wits and words which was organized by Dr. Bisi Olawuyi, a public speaker and the present Head of Department, Communication and Language Arts, continued again this year after it went on an abrupt pause in 2019.

Honourable Victor Olojede, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State on Students’ Affairs also revealed that the Oyo State government has decided to collaborate with the organisers of the Superbowl for the eight edition which would be happening next year.

“The reason for this collaboration is that the Oyo state government always partners with excellence,” Mr Olojede said while speaking to AFAS Press.

The top three winners of the competition were announced, with impressive scores and prizes. Chineke Ugochukwu from the University of Ibadan emerged as the overall winner, scoring 68.1% and receiving a cash prize of ₦200,000 and a trophy. Miss Jacinta Nwachukwu from Dominican University secured second place with a score of 66.9%, winning ₦150,000 and a trophy for her school. Meanwhile, Miss Kolade Daniella from Abiola Ajumobi Technical University took third place, achieving a score of 63.2% and earning ₦100,000 and a trophy for her institution.