By Ruth Orji
C-Circle Research Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro, has organized an inter-school debate competition to commemorate World Environment Day (WED) 2024 with the theme “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.”
The debate, held in partnership with NatureNews, was organized to raise environmental consciousness among secondary school students in Abuja.
The founder of C-circle, Dr Chimere May Ohajinwa, an Environmental Toxicologist and Public Health Expert, emphasized the importance of debate competition in fostering environmental awareness and climate action among young people.
In her words: “This debate competition broadens children’s knowledge about climate change and its impacts, while also enhancing their public speaking, critical thinking skills, research skills and team work.
“Participating in debates can help students learn how to express their opinions effectively and respectfully while also learning how to listen and consider other perspectives in addition, debates can be an opportunity for students to engage with current events, important societal issues, and complex issues in a structured and constructive way. Debates open up minds,” she added.
According to her, ten schools were invited to participate, with nine schools ultimately engaging in vigorous discussions on the debate topics, which addresses the WED 2024 theme “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience”, the theme addresses climate change, which is a current global issue that cannot be neglected.
The debate topic for the first round was “Tree Planting Improves Restoration and Reduces Desertification” and the second round was on “Is the Biggest Challenge to Effective Waste Management in Nigeria a Lack of Infrastructure or Lack of Public Awareness?”
Thus, after the rigorous dialogue, Regina Pacis College Garki emerged victorious with 75.6% followed by Government Secondary School, Gwagwa, in second place with 71.9%.
Bristol Academy, Karu, secured third place, and Government Secondary School, Life-Camp, took fourth, who scored 71.8% and 64.3% respectively.
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Dr. Ohajinwa expressed her dissatisfaction over the students’ inability to fulfil the criteria set for scoring.
She reiterated the importance of debates and need to intensify these efforts in order to bring the best out of them as they grow up and become the future leaders of tomorrow.
She added that C-Circle Foundation is set to organize three debate competitions on different topics annually.
On the part of Rotary Club of Abuja Metro, the President, Oritsejolomi Ayomike, highlighted the collaboration’s goal of raising environmental awareness rather than competition.
“Our focus areas are the environment and basic education. Bringing students from different schools to debate these critical issues helps educate them about environmental maintenance and its health implications,” Ayomike said.
The Kukah Centre, Abuja, and other organizations proudly supported the event. To further instil the value of taking care of our environment, the participating schools received drought-resistant trees donated by Ecosmart Climate Action Initiatives.
These trees will be planted in the schools and monitored by C-Circle Research, a sister organization to C-Circle Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment, ensuring that the lessons from the debate continue to grow and flourish.
The children were also educated on tips to care for the trees. The teachers were especially appreciated, and all the students got branded mug gifts for participating in the debate.
Recall that World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, is a significant event that promotes global awareness and action for environmental protection.
Supported by numerous NGOs, businesses, and government entities, it stands as the primary outreach day for the environment under the United Nations.
Through this debate competition, the C-Circle Research Foundation and its partners have taken a significant step towards educating and inspiring the next generation to take action against climate change and environmental degradation.
