A Kano State-based FM radio station, Arewa Radio, has presented N2.2 million in prizes to winners of a Secondary Schools Debate Competition organised to encourage public speaking among students.

The station’s Group Programmes Director, Prince Daniel, told journalists after the event that the initiative was part of the station’s support to boost education in Northern Nigeria.

He said it was designed to help students develop their skills, build confidence in public speaking and encourage reading culture.

“Muhawara is our flagship debate for Arewa Radio, and it is similar to what we do at Nigeria Info for Lagos and Abuja; and the one in Port Harcourt called, I Beg To Differ.

“Both are similar because they are talk radio stations, it is for the purpose of encouraging the younger ones in the area of education.

“Especially, with the data that shows there are over 18 million out-of-school children, and over half of them are in Northern Nigeria.

“So, this is our little way of supporting education in Northern Nigeria,” the group programmes director said.

He said they encourage children to participate in the debate to improve their command of English, diction and confidence in public speaking.

Sixteen schools and 32 students participated in the competition.

Elmar International School clinched the first position with 41½ points, Governor’s College Boys and Mairo Tijjani Girls Secondary School came second and third, with 39½ and 38½ points respectively.

The first position smiled home with a N1 million cheque, while the second position pocketed N700,000 and the third position got N500,000.

The cash prizes were in addition to other prizes such as a refrigerator, television set, standing fan and books, among others.

The winner of the first position, Asmau Murtala-Haroon, who spoke on behalf of her co-contestant, expressed delight at emerging as winner of the debate competition.

She commended the Arewa Radio for organising the debate, which she said would go a long way in improving the standard of education.

(NAN)