Pulse.ng : Baba Ahmed University, Kano wins NOA North-West national campus debate

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Baba Ahmed University, Kano has on Wednesday in Kaduna, won the National Orientation Agency's (NOA) North-West zonal face-to-face national campus debate.

Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state, emerged second runner up, while Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna (AFIT), emerged first runner up.

The topic for the debate was "Unity in Diversity: Defining Nigerian Identity in Nigeria's Multicultural Society".

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Isa kaita College of Education Katsina, Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic Sokoto, Huda University Gusau, and Kebbi State Polytechnic Dakin Gari, participated in the debate.

Earlier, the Director-General (D-G) of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the National Campus Debate is not merely a competition, but being strategically developed as Nigeria's flagship civic engagement platform for grooming young minds intellectually, morally, and patriotically.

Issa-Onilu, was represented by the North-West Zonal Director of the NOA, Hamisu Abubakar.

He said the debate is a national space for intellectual contest, civic dialogue, and youth expression, providing a space where the next generation of Nigerian leaders are called not only to speak but to think, research, reflect, and take ownership of the values that shape the future as a nation.

He explained that the years' edition of the debate has taken on a structured and inclusive three-tier format which at the first level, institutions from across all 36 states and the FCT submitted video entries that were screened based on strict evaluative criteria.

From there, winning institutions advanced to the current zonal stage, the face-to-face debate, where they now compete for a place at the National Grand Finale.

The D-G disclosed that the final event, would take place in Abuja during Nigeria's 65th independence anniversary celebrations and will be hosted at the presidential villa, with President Bola Tinubu expected to unveil the National Values Charter at that same occasion.

"That, indeed, is the highest national stage upon which the voices of our youth will be heard and celebrated. at NOA we are clear in our mandate, to build a nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity by instilling values that unite and uplift,"he said.

Issa-Onilu noted that in such spirit, the 2025 national campus debate is not only about competition but values, which was why the debate had the selected theme.

He explained that the theme is calling on all Nigerians especially the youth to think critically about what it means to be Nigerian, to explore how the nations' differences could become strength, and to offer solutions that move it closer to a united and just society.

He said the NOA has deepened its engagement with citizens, where they developed new platforms to ensure Nigerians voices are heard.

He said one of such platform is the CLHEEAN App, which is already live on iOS and would soon be available on android.

The NOA boss explained that the App serves as a real-time feedback and empowerment tool for citizens to access government information, report challenges in their communities and connect with public institutions for solutions.

He noted that the App is part of NOA's effort to ensure that civic engagement is not limited to events such as the debate, but becomes a day-to-day experience for every Nigerian.

He encouraged all students and youths to stay connected with the NOA by following the agency's official website at www.noa.gov.ng and social media handles @NOANigeria on Twitter (X), @noanigeria on Instagram, and National Orientation Agency on Facebook.

"These platforms are regularly updated with policies, programmes, and opportunities that directly impact you. Stay informed. Stay engaged. Be the civic-minded leaders this country needs,"he said.

As students prepare for graduations in their academic journey, Issa-Onilu urge them to uphold the values that the debate seeks to instil.

He urged them to reject all forms of unwholesome graduation practices, including those that promote violence, indecency, or cult-like conduct.

He lamented that the practices are foreign to Nigeria's cultures, alien to its faiths, and destructive to the moral fibre of the society.

The D-G also urged them to stay away from cultism and the abuse of drugs.

He lamented that such vices have ruined the potential of many bright youths and have no place in the vision of a new Nigeria that every patriotic Nigerian is working to build.

"You are the pride of your families and the hope of our nation; Protect that identit, let your strength be your intellect.

"Let your rebellion be against ignorance and corruption. Let your energy build up Nigeria, not tear it down,"he said.

He commended the Zonal Directors, State Directors, and all NOA staff for their dedication in organising the zonal debates across the country.

Regardless of who emerged winner, Issa-Onilu said they have already distinguished themselves as voices of reason, as advocates of change, and as ambassadors of national values.

The Director of NOA, Kaduna State Directorate, Mr Danjuma Makama, said the debate fosters critical thinking and meaningful dialogue about national identity.

Makama also said the debate explores themes such as cultural diversity and national unity, the role of history in shaping national identity, which promote patriotism, national pride, encourages tolerance and inclusivity among Nigerians from diverse backgrounds.(NAN)