Veritas University wins Commonwealth Debate Championship in Kigali

Veritas University, Bwari-Abuja, has clinched the title at the inaugural Commonwealth Universities Debating Championship, outperforming over 100 other universities in a stunning display of oratory and critical thinking. This prestigious event, held in Kigali, Rwanda, highlighted the university’s continued excellence on the international stage.

The announcement was made by Ben Agande, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Veritas University, in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja. Agande expressed the university’s pride in the students’ remarkable performance, noting that this latest victory is part of a series of international accolades earned by Veritas University.

Earlier this year, in February 2024, Veritas University won the African Telecommunications Union Digital Innovation Challenge in Nairobi, Kenya, securing a prize of twenty thousand dollars.

Additionally, in December 2022, the university triumphed at the Pan-African Universities Debate Championship, also held in Nairobi, defeating over 100 African universities.

Reacting to the recent success, Vice Chancellor Professor Hyacinth Ichoku emphasized the significance of this achievement as a testament to the university’s commitment to holistic education.

“With this victory, it is clear that our successes in other international competitions were not mere flukes,” he stated. “We are on the right track in our commitment to providing our students with an education that combines discipline, academic excellence, robust interpersonal skills development, and the confidence to excel on the world stage.”

Ichoku also extended his gratitude to the students who represented Veritas University, highlighting that their triumph brings pride not only to the institution but also to Nigeria as a whole. “This achievement will certainly inspire us to consolidate and expand our efforts. We celebrate this remarkable milestone and remain dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in research and other academic endeavors,” he added.

The Commonwealth Universities Debating Championship (CUDC) is a flagship initiative by Aspire Debate Rwanda, in partnership with the University of Rwanda and supported by the Rwandan Ministry of Education. According to the Commonwealth secretariat, the championship aims to bring university students from Commonwealth member countries together to discuss, share ideas, and engage in cultural exchange, fostering a global citizenry among the youth.

The CUDC serves as a platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions on global, regional, and national challenges, encouraging active participation in policy formulation and holding leaders accountable.

This annual post-Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) event aims to build strong interpersonal relationships and raise awareness on key issues among university students from all 56 Commonwealth member countries.