The spirit of intellectual engagement, academic excellence and educational advancement came alive in Umuahia as Vision Africa Radio 104.1FM, in collaboration with the Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, held the 2025/2026 School Debate Prize Presentation Day, marking the 14th physical edition and 15th year of the highly celebrated academic competition.

The event, which attracted students, education stakeholders, government representatives, teachers and dignitaries from across the state, showcased the brilliance and critical thinking abilities of students who debated on the thought-provoking topic: “Is the grading system an accurate measure of a student’s intelligence?”

The competition, known for promoting healthy intellectual discourse among secondary school students, once again demonstrated the importance of education in shaping future leaders.

At the end of the keenly contested debate, Gradiel International School, Umuahia, emerged as the overall winner with an impressive 409 points, defeating other competing schools to clinch the prestigious first position.

University Demonstration School, Ihie Ndume, Umuahia, came second with 398 points, while Victorious Covenant High School, Aba, secured the third position after a commendable performance.

The atmosphere at the prize presentation ceremony was filled with excitement as students, teachers and supporters celebrated the achievements of the winning schools, reflecting the growing culture of academic competitiveness in Abia State.

Representing the wife of the Abia State Governor, Lady Priscilla Otti, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Chidera Emetu, graced the occasion and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting educational excellence and youth development.

Mrs. Priscilla Otti commended the President of Vision Africa Radio, Archbishop Sunday Onuoha, for sustaining the annual competition over the years, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to nurturing a generation of informed, responsible and academically driven young people.

According to her, education goes beyond examinations, grades and certificates, stressing that true learning should inspire curiosity, nurture creativity, build character and prepare young people to become responsible leaders and problem-solvers in society.

She further applauded the Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for its fruitful partnership with Vision Africa Radio, noting that the collaboration demonstrates the positive outcomes that can be achieved when government institutions and private organizations work together toward the advancement of education.

Representing the chairman of the event and former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, retired WAEC staff, Sir Kester Ekekwe, commended teachers for their dedication and sacrifice in nurturing students towards excellence.

Sir Ekekwe also applauded the panel of judges for what he described as their promptness, fairness and professionalism in delivering judgment throughout the competition.

He further appreciated Governor Dr. Alex Otti for the infrastructural transformation ongoing in Abia State, noting that improvements in public facilities contribute significantly to creating an enabling environment for quality education.

In an emotionally charged address, renowned cleric and peace advocate, Archbishop Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, expressed concern over the worsening insecurity affecting schools in parts of the country.

According to him, incidents of school abductions were minimal during the tenure of former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, stressing that children deserve to learn in safe and secure environments.

Archbishop Onuoha passionately appealed to law enforcement agencies and political leaders to intensify efforts toward protecting schools and safeguarding the future of Nigerian children.

He lamented that insecurity has continued to rob many children of their fundamental right to education, insisting that every part of the country must be made safe for learning.

“Those in authority should ensure that students are protected and free to pursue their education without fear. Safety should never be denied to our children. Every part of this nation must become safe for learning,” he stressed.

The debate competition, stakeholders observed, has continued to serve as a veritable platform for discovering young talents, sharpening communication skills and promoting critical thinking among students in Abia State.

Many participants and guests described the event as a celebration of knowledge, discipline and the collective resolve to build a brighter future through education.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, has raised serious concerns over worsening insecurity in communities and the growing infiltration of criminal elements disguising themselves as tricycle operators, calling for immediate and decisive intervention to safeguard lives and property across the state.
The concerns formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the Union’s Monthly Congress held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the NUJ Press Centre, Plot 66 Aba Road, Umuahia, presided over by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Chidi Asonye.

In a strongly worded resolution, Congress condemned the alarming activities of suspected criminals operating under the guise of commercial tricycle (“Keke”) riders, describing the development as a dangerous trend threatening public safety, especially for passengers who commute at night.
The Union noted with deep concern that the unchecked activities of these criminal elements have continued to endanger innocent residents and undermine the security architecture of Abia State.
To tackle the growing menace, the Congress called on the Abia State Ministry of Transport to urgently partner with Keke and Okada unions to regulate, identify and profile operators across the state, insisting that proper documentation and monitoring of members would help flush out criminal infiltrators hiding within the transport system.
On the broader issue of insecurity across Nigeria, the journalists stressed the need for grassroots vigilance, urging traditional rulers, Presidents-General and town union leaders of autonomous communities to take proactive measures in safeguarding their domains.

Congress specifically called on community leaders to intensify local surveillance mechanisms and regularly monitor forests, farmlands and vulnerable areas to guarantee the safety of farmers and rural dwellers increasingly exposed to criminal attacks.
The NUJ also appealed to the Abia State Government to go beyond conventional security responses by organizing periodic security summits for traditional rulers and key community stakeholders, aimed at strengthening local intelligence gathering, sensitization and coordinated community-based security efforts.
Furthermore, Congress advocated the recruitment of forest guards to patrol forests and remote communities across the state, with a mandate to identify and flush out criminal hideouts while restoring confidence among residents.
The communiqué, signed by the Communiqué Drafting Committee Chairman, Imeremba Michael Imeremba; Secretary, Ifeanyi Ogbonna; and member, Christy Emezue, alongside the NUJ Abia Council Secretary, Comrade Iyke Onuegbu, mnipr, and Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye, emphasized the urgent need for collective action to preserve peace and security in Abia State.
The Union maintained that ensuring security must remain a shared responsibility among government, traditional institutions and citizens, warning that failure to act swiftly could further expose communities to criminal threats.

Governor Alex Otti has emerged as the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Abia State after securing an overwhelming 368,230 votes in the party’s direct primary election conducted across the state’s 184 political wards.

Declaring the results at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the National Organising Secretary of the Labour Party and Returning Officer for the exercise in Abia State, Mrs Oluchi Opara, announced that Governor Otti, who contested unopposed, swept the polls in a process monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

The primaries also produced Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for Abia South Senatorial Zone, Senator Darlington Nwokocha for Abia Central, and Chief David Ogba Onuoha for Abia North Senatorial Zone. Serving members of the House of Representatives like Hon. Ginger  Onwusibe and State House of Assembly members also secured return tickets to seek re-election under the party’s platform.
The exercise, largely driven by consensus arrangements in several constituencies, was widely applauded for its orderly conduct and absence of rancour.

Presenting the Governor with his Certificate of Return, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Hon. Acho Obioma, commended party members and electoral officials for conducting what he described as a peaceful, transparent, and violence-free exercise, noting that the primaries reflected the party’s internal democracy and organisational discipline ahead of the 2027 polls.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Otti thanked party leaders, the primaries committee, INEC officials, observers, and party faithful for ensuring a smooth and credible process across the state. He said the emergence of candidates marked the beginning of the next phase of political engagement ahead of the general elections.
“The job has just started. Now that you are candidates, the task of working hard to secure victory for the Labour Party begins,” Otti stated, urging all candidates to intensify grassroots mobilisation and consolidate the party’s growing support base across Abia.

The Governor expressed confidence in the party’s chances in 2027, citing the large turnout recorded during the primaries and stressing the need to reach beyond party lines to win broader public support.

The primaries also produced Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for Abia South Senatorial Zone, Senator Darlington Nwokocha for Abia Central, and Chief David Ogba Onuoha for Abia North Senatorial Zone. Serving members of the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly also secured return tickets to seek re-election under the party’s platform.
The exercise, largely driven by consensus arrangements in several constituencies, was widely applauded for its orderly conduct and absence of rancour.
Earlier in the day, Governor Otti, accompanied by his wife, Her Excellency Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti, participated in the Labour Party primary election at his ward in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area before proceeding to the state collation centre in Umuahia.

In an emotional moment during the event, Governor Otti announced the passing of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, describing him as “a very good man” and revealing that efforts had been made to save his life before news of his death was confirmed. A minute of silence was thereafter observed in his honour.