The UDUS Debate Club, on Saturday, 14th of February 14, 2026 organised the grand finale of its 4th Inter-Chamber Debate Competition alongside an orientation programme for new members at the Faculty of Law Auditorium of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto.

The event began with a welcome address by the club’s Vice President, Jamiu, followed by a vision statement delivered by Habeebat Temidun. In her remarks, she explained that the club was founded by Barrister Amina Illo as the Faculty of Law Debate Club before expanding in 2022 to become a university-wide body. She emphasised the club’s continued commitment to nurturing responsible and impactful student leaders through debate and public speaking.

The competition featured both debate and public speaking categories, with six teams initially participating. Four teams advanced to the final stage of the debate category. In the public speaking category, three speakers progressed to the finals after emerging as top performers in the preliminary rounds.

During the orientation session, former Vice President II of the club, Abubakar Muiza, delivered a talk titled “Beyond the Trophy: Why You Should Join the Debate Club.”

In her speech, she encouraged students to focus on personal growth, confidence, and leadership development through debate. The club president also addressed attendees, outlining the structure of the club and opportunities available to members.

Finalists in the debate category contested the motion: “This House Would Ban Valentine’s Day,” while public speakers delivered speeches on various love-centered topics.

At the end of the competition, Bajeh Mahboob emerged as the Best Speaker in the Debate Category, while Luqman Kamaldeen emerged as the best speaker in the public speaking category. Abdullateef Ruqayyat was recognised as the Best Public Speaking Adjudicator and Mukhtar Anozie received the award for Best Debate Adjudicator.

In the team category, Aboki Yusuf Chamber, represented by Lukman Kamaldeen, emerged as the Best Public Speaking Team, while Amina Illo Chamber B was named the Best Debate Team.

In attendance were presidents of various campus clubs and associations, including the President of the National Association of Campus Journalists, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (NACJ-UDS), the Editor-in-Chief of the Poetry Club, and the president of the EFCC Zero Tolerance for Corruption, UDUS.

In an interview with this reporter after the event, the best public speaker, Lukman Kamaldeen expressed appreciation to the club and his trainers. “I am happy and proud that my efforts paid off. Kudos to our Head of Chamber for the training, both virtual and physical, and thank you to the debate club for giving us the opportunity to compete,” he said.

Another participant, Saheed Aminullah, expressed excitement over his experience. “I never believed it was my first time debating. With the help of my partner and my trainer, Maryam, I gained confidence and improved greatly,” he said.

Similarly, Zainab, one of the finalists, expressed surprise at her performance. “I cannot believe we made it to the finals. I had almost given up on winning, but I thank God for the outcome,” she said.

The event was a success and served as a showcase of some of the finest rising talents within the university, reflecting the dedication and hard work of the president and other executives of the club.