Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has congratulated Team Rivers for emerging champions of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship.
Governor Fubara described the students’ victory as “a great feat” and a demonstration of the intellectual capacity, brilliance, confidence and preparedness of Rivers State students to compete and excel at the national level.
The Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, on Friday, commended the students for their eloquence, critical thinking and teamwork throughout the competition.
He also praised the teachers and coaches who prepared the students for the competition, as well as the Rivers State Ministry of Education for providing the necessary guidance and support that contributed to the team’s outstanding performance.
Fubara said the victory had brought immense pride to the people of Rivers State, noting that it further demonstrated the positive impact of investments in education and human capital development by his administration.
“This victory is a source of immense pride to all Rivers people. It shows that our investment in education and human capital development is yielding results,” the Governor said.
He added that the achievement had once again demonstrated the ability of Rivers children to compete favourably with their counterparts from across the country.
“Our children have once again proven that they are among the best in the country. We are proud of you and we will continue to support programmes that build the minds of our young people,” he stated.
The Governor assured that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for students across the state to thrive academically and participate effectively in extracurricular activities.
According to him, sustained investment in educational programmes and activities would provide young people with opportunities to develop their talents, sharpen their intellectual abilities and prepare for future challenges.
Fubara also urged students across Rivers State to draw inspiration from Team Rivers’ achievement and remain committed to excellence in their academic pursuits and other endeavours.
He encouraged them to embrace opportunities that would enhance their knowledge, confidence, communication skills and capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.
The grand finale of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship was held on Thursday at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The victory places Team Rivers among the leading school debate teams in the country and underscores the growing emphasis on intellectual competitions as part of efforts to develop students beyond the conventional classroom environment.
The Governor’s commendation came as the state celebrated the students’ achievement and the contributions of the educators and officials who supported their participation in the national competition.
Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote academic excellence and human capital development, particularly those that provide young people with platforms to demonstrate their talents and compete at national and international levels.
The Governor further called on relevant stakeholders in the education sector to sustain efforts aimed at identifying, nurturing and supporting talented students across the state.
He said achievements such as the Team Rivers victory should serve as motivation for other students to pursue excellence and represent the state positively whenever opportunities arise.
