Ibarapa Gears Up for 2nd Late Alhaji Atilola Adedigba Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition

All is set for the 2nd edition of the Late Alhaji Atilola Adedigba Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition in Ibarapa Land, scheduled to hold on Sunday, 30th August, 2026.

The competition, sponsored by the Adedigba family, is organized to commemorate the posthumous birthday of the late human capital developer, Alhaji Jimoh Atilola Adedigba, and to promote intellectual engagement among students in the region.

The 2026 edition is being coordinated by the Ibarapa Indigenous Students’ Union Presidents. The preliminary stages featured 40 public secondary schools across the 3 Local Governments in Ibarapa. After rigorous rounds, 10 schools have been shortlisted for the grand finale.

The debate topic for the final stage is:
“Prioritizing Teacher Welfare and Prompt Salary Payments Is More Important Than Building New Classrooms in Improving Education Quality in Nigeria.”
The topic reflects current national conversations around education funding, governance, and accountability.

Delivering the keynote address as Guest Speaker is the Rector of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Prof. Akinola Kehinde Akinlabi. His topic:
“With Trillions in the Budget, Why Are Some Nigerian Children Still Left Behind? It’s Politics, Not Money”.

The event will be graced by prominent personalities from Ibarapa and beyond. The Matriarch of the Adedigba Dynasty, Alhaja Morounanti Toorera Adedigba, will lead the family as Mother of the Day.

The President of Igboora Progress Union (IPU), Pastor Alex Oladeji (JP), will serve as Chairman of the Day, while the Olu of Igboora, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Jimoh Titiloye, will lead other Ibarapa traditional rulers as Royal Fathers of the Day.

Organizers say the competition is part of efforts to encourage critical thinking, public speaking, and civic awareness among secondary school students, in line with the legacy of Late Alhaji Atilola Adedigba who was known for his commitment to education and youth development.

Students, parents, educators, and stakeholders across Ibarapa are expected to attend the grand finale on the 30th of August.