Rivpoly to honour two students for winning contest

AUTHORITIES of the Rivers State Polytechnic have promised to honour two of their students for emerging victorious at a national competition on public speaking/debate.

The students are Essien Udefa of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology and Zealous Koate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology.

They came first in the competition the National Youth Service Corps organised at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko, Ondo State.

The second and third positions went to students of AAUA and the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State respectively.

Speaking on the students’ performance, the Deputy Rector of the polytechnic, Mr. Princewill Daboikiabo, said they made the institution proud by winning the competition.

Daboikiabo explained that with their victory, the polytechnic would represent Nigeria at the finals of the African Championship later in the year at the Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe.

The academic said, “The Rivers State Polytechnic is celebrating the gift of excellence. Two of our students beat others from higher institutions of learning in the National Public Speaking and Debate Championship for Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.

“The African Championship is a brainchild of Impact Africa International with headquarters in the Republic of Benin. It is an international organisation with the aim of contributing to Africa Sustainability Development and developing youths for responsible leadership in Africa.”

Daboikiabo explained that the feat was worth celebrating, adding that the school would soon recognise the efforts of the winners.

He added, “We are particularly happy that two of our students who represented the school have made us proud. This, indeed, is worthy of celebration and we are planning big to honour them.

“They put Nigeria on the continental map of the people in the frontier of academic excellence. We are going to invite Nigerians soon when the school will host them for making it proud.

“The joy in our heart is enormous and we will continue to honour any exceptional student of the institution.