By Christian Ogbonna
Three Ebonyi students from various universities have been awarded a one-year tuition fee each for emerging winners of the maiden edition of Tertiary Institutions Debate in the state.
The debate was organised by the Ministries of Justice and Solid Minerals Resources and Development in the state, on Tuesday, in Abakaliki.
The theme of the debate is: “Mobilising Collective Efforts for the Actualisation of the People’s Charter of Needs: Mineral Resources as a Catalyst for Peace and Development in Ebonyi State.”
The Chief Judge at the grand finale, Mr Charles Chukwu, said 30 students registered for the debate but only six made it to the final stage in Abakaliki.
Chukwu congratulated the participants and urged them to keep the flag flying for a greater tomorrow.
“Three students made it to the final Ebonyi Tertiary Institutions Debate.
“Gold Egwu, a 200-level student of Nursing Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University of Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi (AE-FUNAI) won the first position with 90 points.
“Anyigor Basil, a 400-level student of Physiology, Ebonyi State University (EBSU), secured the second position with 78 points, while Ezekiel Mbam, 200 level, Physiology student of EBSU, came third with 68 points,” he said.
The chief judge noted that the three winners are entitled to one-year tuition fee as support to their education.
In his remarks, the state’s Attorney-General, Mr Ben Odoh, urged the youths in the society to embrace mineral resources development for peace building and economic development.
Odoh, also the Commissioner for Justice, lamented the crises that often erupt upon the discovery of mineral resources in the society.
He said that 90 per cent of the crises in Ebonyi communities emanated from poor management of the available mineral resources.
He said the debate was to inculcate in the students, especially the youths, the importance of managing mineral resources for economic growth without causing disorder.
“The debate is not only to encourage the students in their academic pursuit but to inform them on the need to use the resources as a catalyst for peace and development.
“Ebonyi is blessed with mineral resources and if harnessed, could translate to economic growth.
“So, as part of charter of justice, to get peace, you must cultivate justice. When there is no peace, there will be breakdown of law and order.
“We must always remember that it is cheaper and easier to prevent crises than to manage it.
“So, the youths should always represent us as ambassadors of peace,” Odoh said.
Mr Chidi Onyia, the state’s Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, represented by Mr Jacob Ekuma, HoD Monitoring in the ministry, commended the participants and called for the adoption of the debate in the state.
Onyia noted that equitable management of mineral resources could foster peace and unity as well as drive the economy.
“Such management involves the host community and creates jobs for the people.
“So, the aim of the debate is to find a solution on how mineral resources can drive development and not crises,” he said.
The commissioner listed some of the mineral deposits in Ebonyi to include brine (salt), granite, lead ore (galena), sand, limestone, barites, marble stones, and gypsum, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chidi Opara
