From Magnus Eze, Enugu
At least 74 tertiary institutions from across the country will participate in this year’s national debate on the 2023 presidential election and national unity.
The event was organised by the Monday Diamond Foundation in conjunction with the Muslim and Christian Youths Initiative (MCY), Eureka-Gie, Youth Advocacy for Development and Empowerment (YADE) as well as Youths Alliance for Good Governance (YAGG), and will hold in Abuja on September 9, 2022.
Convener of the debate Monday Diamond Ani says the event is the biggest academic event in Nigeria in recent times.
According to him, the competition will be amongst 74 higher institutions in Nigeria on “2023: Northern or Southern Presidency; panacea to national peace, unity and progress of Nigeria?
He also gave the second topic as “Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary: Dissecting the leadership performance of military rule and PDP, APC democratic dispensations.”
Ani explained in Enugu on Wednesday that the preliminary debate will be held at the National Merit Award House, Abuja, where the 74 higher institutions will slug it out, before one institution from each of the six geopolitical zones in the country will proceed to the grand finale.
“One of the cardinal reasons for this debate is to bring Nigerian youths together in the unification of purpose, examine their logical quotient and intellectual prowess through the students’ community on the issues that bother on national interest,” Ani stated.
He revealed that there will also be a panel session which will involve eminent Nigerians and top political party presidential candidates.
The event will have in attendance former presidents, top traditional rulers, diplomats, clergymen, academics, captains of industry, celebrities, activists, youth leaders and students.