Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja GRA, has emerged as the winner of a N100,000 cash prize in an inter-school debate contest. The contest, organised by Lions International, District 404B5, was held to mark World Literacy Day. The debate, which took place at Bola Memorial Primary School, Ikeja, featured primary school pupils from five schools who discussed the negative effects of social media on children and young people.
The debate was part of a reading action programme organised by the Lions to promote literacy and improve children's learning and communication skills. According to District Governor Phina Origho, the programme was designed to promote literacy and help children develop their learning abilities. The Lions Club International is concerned about literacy and helping children develop their learning abilities.
The contest featured pupils from five schools who debated on the topic of the negative effects of social media on children and young people. The other participating schools also received prizes for their performances. District Governor Phina Origho expressed satisfaction with the pupils' performances, stressing the need to guide children early amid the growing influence of social media.
Phina Origho said the reading action programme was one of several activities Lions could adopt to mark World Literacy Day. The organisation could also hold podcasts, question-and-answer sessions, and lectures. The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board selected the participating schools. Origho added that she was impressed with the presentations by the children.
Olapeju Hassan, the chairperson of the committee that planned the programmes in Ekiti and Lagos, said 21 Lions clubs collaborated on the initiative across the two states. In Ekiti, 10 clubs participated in the inter-school programme, where back-to-school items, including over 1,000 notebooks, school bags, water bottles, and school shoes, were distributed to pupils.
Hassan explained that the club usually organised spelling bee competitions to mark World Literacy Day but introduced debates this year to promote communication and public-speaking skills among pupils. She added that schools in the Maryland and Ikeja areas were invited through SUBEB, with five eventually participating in the Lagos competition.
A teacher of Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Fasipe Taiwo, expressed delight after the school won the contest. The school's victory was a result of the pupils' hard work and dedication. The contest helped children develop their communication skills and express themselves confidently.
Key points
- The Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja GRA, won the N100,000 cash prize.
- The debate contest was organised by Lions International, District 404B5, to mark World Literacy Day.
- The contest aimed to promote literacy and improve children's learning and communication skills.
