UNILAG DEBATE; THE EMERGENCE OF THE TITANS

Chima Azubuike-200L, Philosophy

After a successful show of dexterity, boldness and talent from the representatives of various Faculties in the University of Lagos and the emergence of various winners, the clash of the titans came to a climax on the 12th of June, 2013 at the preliminary stage of the University debate held at the Main Auditorium.

The representatives were drawn from the twelve faculties and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), in the persons of Ajogbata Jennifer (Arts), Enebeli Chinedu

(Education), Mustapha Kelani (Business Administration), Awonusi  Bamiyo (Environmental Sciences), Osas Nathan (Engineering), Adegunloye Mariam (Social Sciences), Onasanya Gbemisola (Pharmacy), Adenuga   Oyeniyi (Medical Sciences), Igiowo Kehinde (Dental Science), Ojelade Temitope (Clinical Sciences) and Taiwo Biola (Distance Learning Institute).

The topic of the debate was: 'IS THE PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IDEAL IN NIGERIA' which gave the participants an opportunity to express their grievances towards the presidential system of government which included the inconsistent and unfavourable Government policies.

Some of the participants expressed their views based that the system of government in the United States of America should not be compared to that which exist in other countries because their democratic rule of government had held sway for a long time unlike  the nascent democratic system of government in Nigeria.

Most of the participants tried to defend Nigeria by making exceptions that the failure of our democratic system was as result of the numerous challenges the country faces such as diversity in tribe, religion and value system.

The debate was chaired by the erudite scholar- Professor Segun Awonusi, who announced the result based on the performances of the competitors with winners emerging from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Engineering, Pharmacy, Law, Clinical Sciences and Medical Sciences.

The preliminary stage had come and gone but the question on the lips of many was that- some of the participants, although talented, lacked some essentials of public speaking raising the questions as to the way some of them emerged from their respective faculties.

The final stage will hold on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2013 by 10am at the Main Auditorium. The topic that will be debated on is: Sovereign National Conference; is it desirable at this stage of Nigeria's development?