FRESHER'S FAIR DAY 2: DEBATE, PRELIMINARY TO THE FINALS

The National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), Obafemi Awolowo University, continued its earlier announced Freshers’ Fair on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with a debate session held at the English Postgraduate Room in the departmental building.

The debate, initially scheduled for 11 a.m., was postponed to 4 p.m. and eventually commenced over 15 minutes after the new time, beginning with an opening prayer led by the Vice President of the department, Mamadelo Christianah Adeola.

According to the President of the department, Francis Fortunatus Ohacho, the Freshers’ Fair, including the debate session, was organized not only to welcome the new students but to integrate them into the academic and social system of the department. In his brief address, he acknowledged the panel of judges: Bethel Oreoluwa, an esteemed member of the OAU Debate Club; Olalere Zacheus, a postgraduate student and alumnus of the department; Fashina Taiwo, also an alumnus; Ojo-Fakuade Tomi, Vice President of the NASELS Debate Club; and Olaoluwa Rhoda, a member of the Debate Club who served as the timekeeper.

He also appreciated everyone present, especially the freshers, for showing up and participating actively in the programme.

The moderator, Mercy Ojegbola, after recognizing the NASELS executive members and other notable attendees, including the Editor-in-Chief of the NASELS Communication Bureau, Olaoye Peace, and a correspondent of the Bureau, Idris Eniola, handed the floor to one of the judges, Olalere Zacheus, who announced the modalities of the competition before the debaters took the stage.

A total of 16 participants competed in the preliminary round. Group A supported the motion: “Is the Amalgamation of Nigeria the Root of All Tribal Conflicts?” while Group B opposed it. At the end of the session, four debaters advanced to the next round: Adedeji Abisola (60 points) and Akande Simi (57 points) from Group A, and Hannah Oluwadarasimi (64 points) and Adewale Florence (59 points) from Group B.

For the second round, the qualifiers debated the topic “Is NELFUND a Trap or a Blessing?” with Group A arguing that NELFUND is a blessing and Group B maintaining that it is a trap. Unlike the first round, which allowed four minutes per speaker, the second round allotted two minutes and thirty seconds to each debater.

After a series of intense and intellectually stimulating arguments, the session ended on a suspenseful note as the winners of the second round were withheld. They are expected to be announced during the Colloquium, the third day of the Freshers’ Fair, scheduled to hold at Auditorium 2, where the semifinalists will also go head-to-head and the overall winner will finally be revealed.

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