Two students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Victor Nnaemeka and Anthony Chimezie, have become millionaires after the Southeast School Debate in Anambra State.
The grand finale held last weekend at the Bethel City Auditorium, Onitsha.
The students received cheques worth N8 million and N3 million in scholarships from businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ikenna Okafor, and his wife, Esther. The gesture came through the Nzekwuabuo Foundation.
Nnaemeka is a final year Medicine and Surgery student, while Chimezie studies History and International Relations.
Both were full of emotion as the amounts were announced. They thanked the sponsor and organisers and promised not to disappoint them.
The debate was organised by Macclemm Marketing Communications Limited and sponsored by the Nzekwuabuo Foundation. The topic was “Role of Activism in Politics”, with students arguing for and against.
Nine higher institutions took part. UNIZIK emerged overall winner and took home N1 million.
Paul University, Awka, came second with N700,000, while Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) placed third with N500,000.
Okafor, popularly called Ide Akwaeze, whose company, Keves, sponsored the debate, said it was designed to engage young people in intellectual discussions, inspire critical thinking and prepare them to become agents of positive change.
He urged wealthy individuals to give back to society. According to him, philanthropy is not determined by financial status alone, but by one’s willingness to support meaningful causes.
“What we are doing is to encourage our youths that hard work pays and take their minds away from frivolities in the society.
“We want to create new Dr Nnamdi Azikiwes, Prof Chinua Achebes, etc in the Southeast. In time to come, we are going to make it a Nigeria affair. This is the kind of conversations the country needs. Some of the things going on among our youths don’t give joy. This is just the starting point of that recreation,” Okafor said.
He also challenged young people to stop blaming their parents for their circumstances and take responsibility for their future.
“Young people should focus on addressing problems, doing what they can to improve their situations and creating positive change wherever possible.”
The organiser, Chido Obidiegwu, a former Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) and Chief Executive Officer of Macclemm, said the idea came from a chance meeting with Okafor.
He said it was inspired by Okafor’s long-standing support for individuals and institutions, including the donation of a 30KVA generator to ABS during his time as managing director.
Obidiegwu described Okafor as a philanthropist who plants seeds for future generations, saying, “he is a man with milk of human kindness.”
A minute of silence was observed for the late Vice-Chancellor of Tansian University, Prof Carter Umeh, who Obidiegwu said was part of the planning process.
The Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Education, Anayo Okpalaeke, who represents Aguata 1 Constituency, praised the initiative. He said such debates would push students to focus on their studies.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, described Okafor as a rescuer of the downtrodden and a man of many parts.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Oguguo, was represented at the event.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
