OBASEKU G/S WINS AS ADEDIGBA FAMILY PLEDGES ₦2.5M, WAEC, NECO, JAMB FEES FOR 52 STUDENTS AT IBARAPA STUDENTS’ DEBATE.

The Aridunu Event Hall, Igbole, Igboora was filled to capacity on Sunday, 30th August, 2026, as the Ibarapa Indigenous Students’ Presidents held the grand finale of the 2nd Edition of the Late Alhaji Atilola Adedigba Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition.

Students, teachers, parents, traditional rulers and well-wishers from across Ibarapa land converged to witness the intellectual showcase and to honor the memory of the late human capital developer, Alhaji Jimoh Atilola Adedigba.

The programme commenced at 11:00am with prayers and goodwill messages.

“We Want Ibarapa Students to Compete Globally” – Ayegoro

In his welcome address, President of Ibarapa Indigenous Students’ Presidents, Comrade Idris Ayegoro, said the competition was designed to promote academic excellence, confidence, eloquence and critical thinking among Ibarapa students.

He appreciated the Adedigba family for sustaining the legacy and urged more families and organizations to invest in education.
Ayegoro called on political leaders to prioritize teachers’ welfare, infrastructure and learning materials.
“We want Ibarapa to be known for producing students who can compete anywhere in Nigeria and the world,” he declared.

The Chairman of the Day, Pastor Alex Oladeji, JP, President of Igboora Progress Union, described 30th August as significant as it marks the posthumous birthday of  Late Alhaji Jimoh Atilola Adedigba, a titan of service and former IPU President.

He said Alhaji Adedigba was “a human capital developer who believed the greatest project any leader can embark on is building people.”

Pastor Oladeji commended Alhaja Wasilat Morounanti Toorera Adedigba and the Adedigba family for “turning mourning into movement, and grief into generosity” through hospital donations, mosques, scholarships and community projects.

He said the debate topic was timely and challenged stakeholders to ask hard questions: “With Trillions in the Budget, Why Are Some Nigerian Children Still Left Behind? It’s Politics, Not Money.”
He declared: “This program is not just about competition. It is about conscience. It is about raising leaders who will give better answers.”
He then formally declared the 2nd Edition of the competition open.

“It’s Politics, Not Money” – Prof. Akinlabi

Delivering the guest lecture on the same topic, Prof. Akinola Kehinde Akinlabi, Rector of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, said Nigeria’s education crisis is not about lack of funds but lack of political will.

He noted that less than 60% of capital education allocations are released yearly, while politicians prefer commissioning buildings over paying teacher salaries because “a new building is a campaign billboard.”

He blamed inequality, poor accountability and lack of LG autonomy for why children in Ibarapa are left behind.
He urged transparency, community oversight and prioritization of teacher welfare.
To students: “Be like Alhaji Adedigba. Be a human capital developer. The topic you are debating today will determine whether Nigeria works tomorrow.”

“We Must Save the Boy Child” – Justice Adekunle

In his keynote address, Hon. Justice Saubana Adekunle lamented the poor representation of male students in education, putting it at just 10%.

He attributed this to poor parenting, nonchalant attitudes of male students, and social vices that keep drawing them away from school.
He enjoined parents to encourage male students to focus on education, stressing that they will be more useful to society if educated.
“The boy child must not be left behind,” he said.

The defining moment came with the address by Alhaja Morounanti Toorera Adedigba, Mother of the Day. She described her late husband as a committed father and community leader who prioritized service to Allah and humanity.

She announced that the Adedigba family would reward all 10 finalist schools with ₦250,000 each, totaling ₦2.5 million.
She further declared that the WAEC, NECO and JAMB fees of all 52 students who participated in the preliminary and final stages will be fully sponsored.

The announcement drew loud cheers as parents celebrated the relief from major financial burdens.

This year’s debate topic was: “Prioritizing Teacher Welfare and Prompt Salary Payment Is More Important Than Building New Classrooms in Improving Education Quality in Nigeria”.

Obaseku Grammar School, Eruwa  represented by Olayiwola Israel & Adesokan Marvelous clinched the 1st position with 74.6 points; 2nd: Obaseku High School, Eruwa – Represented by Dauda Suraroh & Handle – 72.3 points; 3rd: Baptist High School, Ayete – Represented by Oke Zipporah & Usman Tohibat – 69.6 points;  4th: Iberekodo High School, Igboora – Represented by Akinsanmi Esther Chinyere & Akeem Modinat Romoke – 67.6 points; 5th: Lajorun High School, Oke-Iserin – _Represented by Morawo Mohammed – 67.3 points; 6th: Methodist Grammar School, Igboora – _Represented by Oladokun Farian & Adeniyi Esther – 66.3 points; 7th: Okedere High School, Idere – _Represented by Ayandeji Rokeebat & Opeyemi Lydia – 61.7 points; 8th: Lanlate High School, Lanlate – _Represented by John Cicilia & Adefabi Bisola – 60.0 points; 9th: Tapa Community High School, Tapa – _Represented by Abisoye Fathia & Ogunyemi Esther – 58.3 points; 10th: Igangan High School, Igangan – _Represented by Kolade Tosin & Aderoju Rebecca – 54.8 points

Royal fathers at the event included Oba Jimoh Titiloye, Olu of Igboora and Royal father of the Day; Oba Rafiu Ariwoola, Asigangan of Igangan; Oba Jamiu Adedamola Badmus, Oluaso of Iberekodo; Oba Olusanjo Ojo, Babaaso of Iberekodo-Igbole; Oba Fasasi Jinad, Onisaganun of Saganun; and Oba Samuel Aderibigbe, Onidofin of Idofin.

Other dignitaries were Mr. Goke Adenrele, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Dr. Rasak Tijani; Alhaja Olori Amudalat Akinyemi; Mrs. Adepoju, Supervisor for Education, Ibarapa East LG; School Principals and student leaders.

The event ended with prayers from teachers , parents and students for the repose of Late Alhaji Atilola Adedigba and for continued progress in Ibarapa land.