It was an emotional afternoon in Umuahia as Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti officially welcomed home the public school students who represented Nigeria and emerged champions at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.
At the welcome ceremony, held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, team captain Esther Christian broke down in tears of joy after delivering her speech, saying she wished her late father were alive to witness her achievement. Her mother and Governor Otti joined her in the moment, comforting and celebrating her as the audience applauded.
Abia students beat teams from six countries
The team, drawn from Abia public schools, was named overall champion in Doha after facing teams from six other countries, including Jordan, India, Qatar, Kenya and the Philippines. More than 84 teams from eight countries took part in the championship, which was hosted by the QatarDebate Centre at Georgetown University in Doha.
The Abia students won four major trophies and 12 individual medals, including:
- Best International School Debate Team
- Overall Best Team (Junior Category)
- Best Debater Award
- Best Leadership Award
Members of the team also finished among the competition’s top 10 speakers. The debaters were Christian Chinweotitom Esther, the team captain; Chikodi Maureen; Akamnonu Franklin; Ifeanyichukwu Prisca; and Simon Divine.
The delegation to Qatar was led by Amb. Lydia Ezinne Onuoha, Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), alongside representatives of the Presidency and Presidential School Debate Nigeria.
Otti rewards the champions
At the ceremony, Governor Otti announced cash rewards and a scholarship for the team:
- Each of the five debaters received ₦1 million.
- Team captain Esther Christian, 15, was offered a full scholarship through the Alex Otti Foundation, covering her education up to university level. Esther lost her father when she was four years old.
- Each official who accompanied the team received ₦750,000.
- Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School, Abayi Umuocham, Osisioma Ngwa, which produced the champions, received ₦1.75 million.
- Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School also received ₦1 million for winning a recent national essay competition.
“This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people,” Otti said, describing the students’ success as the fruit of deliberate investment in education rather than an accident.
A turning point for education in Abia
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, said the result showed what sustained investment in education could achieve. Elder Oritu Dare, Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship, said the victory had opened the door for Nigeria to compete at the next edition in Singapore, while the UBEC Abia Coordinator, Mrs Unyime Umoette, urged public office holders to adopt public schools.
Speaking for the parents, Mr Akamnonu Christopher thanked the governor for the support given to the children.
For many Abians, the moment carried a wider meaning. Supporters of the governor say his administration has restored dignity to education in the state, and that public school pupils are once again making Abia and Nigeria proud on the global stage. The champions have already asked for approval to defend their title in 2027.
For Esther, though, the day was about something more personal: a victory dedicated to a father who did not live to see it.
Flashinfong congratulates the students, their teachers and their families. May Abia continue to succeed.