By Oluwatoyin Adegoke
Harnessing Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity to deepen national unity was in focus as selected youths from the 6 South Western states of the country engaged themselves in an intellectual contest in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The programme with the theme ” Unity in Diversity: Defining Nigerian Identity in Nigeria’s Multi-Cultural Society” was organized by the National Orientation Agency ,NOA as the 2025 Southwest Zonal Competition of the National Campus Debate, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, to provide a platform for students to share ideas on strengthening Nigeria’s unity.
With brilliant arguments, persuasive oratory, and unshaken confidence, young debaters from From Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, and Ogun took turns in lighting the verbal fireworks, passionately canvassing the need for stronger national unity.
The youths opened the flood of patriotic discussions on the premise that every citizen must be committed to sustaining national peace and unity, emphasizing that peace and tolerance must be taught in the classroom from an early age.
Earlier, while welcoming the participants, Director-General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by the Agency’s Zonal Director, Mrs. Olufunke Salako, had described the debate as a flagship platform for grooming responsible future leaders.
He said the NOA was committed to building a nation bound in freedom, peace and unity by promoting the right values among the people, while urging youths to protect their identity and shun social vices.
Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, while applauding the participants for their sterling contributions promised that the state would continue to nurture the youths as great asset, while harnessing their energy and talents productively.
Other speakers recommended grassroots engagement through community orientation centres in every local government, and multilingual campaigns to reach Nigerians in their indigenous languages.
At the end of the keenly contested competition, Mountain Top University, representing Ogun State, emerged champions with 167 points, with Oyo and Osun States following closely behind in second and third place.
As the curtain fell in Abeokuta, one message rang clear: Nigeria’s unity is not just a slogan, but a responsibility the youth are ready to defend.
