Fourteen-year-old Joseph Majesty Ojochegbe from Government Day Secondary School Karu has triumphed in the second season of Nigeria Info's "I Beg to Differ" competition! He walked away with the grand prize of one million naira after a nail-biting final against Helen Abu Francis.
The students tackled the contentious topic, "Nigeria is the Giant of Africa," and a new segment called "The Nigerian Dream".
The debate sparked lively discussions across Nigeria Info's social media platforms, proving just how passionate listeners were about the issues.
A visibly excited Joseph described the experience as "thrilling and adventurous."
Despite initial doubts, he gained confidence throughout the competition. When asked about his prize money, he revealed a desire for a PS5 game console.
“I feel excited. Am wowed! It was thrilling. It was exciting. The ‘I beg to differ Season 2’ was an adventurous Journey. At the start I had doubts, but going further and seeing more debaters encouraged me, motivated me that, yes, I can do this.”
Asked what he intends to do with the 1 million Naira price money, he replied thus: “Sincerely it’s not my decision to make. It’s my parents. I will give it to them for motivating me, supporting me and bringing me this far.”
The officials had asked the winner: “if you were asked to buy one thing for yourself, what would that be?”
His answer was “Maybe textbooks.”
“Mommy and Daddy will provide those ones for you. But if given some monies to buy something special for yourself, what would that be?”
His answer: “A game then… a PS5 game console.”
Chief Judge Majeed Dahiru who was at the final event, praised the high standard of the Nigeria Info FM Abuja’s “I Beg to Differ” Secondary Schools debate competition, highlighting the students’ confidence, knowledge, and composure. Dr Dahiru noted the strong performance of FCT public school students, calling it a testament to the quality of public education in the region.
Dahiru also encouraged schools to revive their debating clubs, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young public speakers.
“The Participants were well prepared apparently. It was a tough one for us as judges because they performed so well, a number of them. …..the final day, was the toughest of all. We almost had a tie. The children displayed a lot of knowledge, composure, confidence and the ability to communicate their convictions on the side they are trying to debate”
“Overall, I think they are going to do well in Lagos. I think they have done well. For me, the major take away is that consistently children from public schools have led the pack.”
He noted that the winner of the 2025 edition of the competition is from a Government School in Karu which is a testament to the good quality of public school system in Abuja. “Even though there is room for improvement, it is something to be cheerful about as residents of Abuja, that our public school system is bringing such quality of young minds that are able to debate and win competitions, and go ahead to represent the entire Abuja at the National Level”.
He urged schools to resuscitate their debating societies so as to nurture young minds that are willing, that have the talent to speak publicly, so that year in year out we have a churning out of talented public speakers that will dominate in their various endeavors in future.”
Joseph, along with finalists Helen Abu Francis, Ruth Chikwere (third place), and Favour Anthony (fourth place), will now represent Abuja at the national competition in Lagos later this year.
