JUUC host Ground breaking virtual debate "The Congress", encourages value placement for advocacy development.

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By: Emem Alex & Mary Boniface 

In a bid to build, engage and sharpen the
debating skills of all Law Students and Pacesetters of Justice Udo Udoma Chambers, the Justice Udo Udoma Chambers organized a debate tournament tagged "THE CONGRESS". The tournament used the British Parliamentary Debate Format. This stellar idea gave Lawsanites an opportunity to build their advocacy.
The Congress 

The tournament saw sixteen (16) teams, consisting of two(2) members each, signing up for the competition. There were four (4) preliminary rounds with eight (8) teams breaking to the semi-finals; four (4) teams breaking to the final, leaving three(3) top teams as the winners. The tournament took place on WhatsApp via voice notes and each of the rounds commenced with a roll call at 2pm and the main round at 3pm.

The debate tournament was chaired by Mr Eyo Emmanuel,an award winning Debater and an international law enthusiast who was joined by four(4) adjudicators carefully picked from across Nigerian Universities. However the main tournament was preceded by a master's round which saw the participants through on the intricacies of the BPD. This took place on the 11th of May, 2020.
The Judges 



The sixteen (16) teams of the tournament were Aguiyi-Ironsi, Elizabeth II, Robertson, Azikiwe, Shonekan, Gowon, Mohammed, Obasanjo, Shagari, Abacha, Abubakar, Yaradua, Jonathan, Buhari and Abiola. The four (4) preliminary rounds took place in four different rooms on WhatsApp namely; United States Congress, National Assembly, French Parliament and British Parliament. The tournament spanned a period of five (5) days, from Tuesday, 12th May, 2020, to Saturday, 16th May, 2020, while the official award ceremony took place on Sunday, 17th May, 2020.

Out of the sixteen (16) teams that signed up for the tournament, the four (4) teams that made it to the final were Ironsi, Gowon, Shonekan and Mohammed. 
At the official award ceremony, the top 10 best speakers were announced and were rewarded with a two-days special training session with Africa's most decorated debater Faithfulness Okom, Esq.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Congress were:
Second runner up - Team Gowon (consisting the duo Itemobong and Mfoniso Usendia)
First runner up - Team Ironsi (consisting the duo David Samuel and Etieno Attat)
Overall winner - Team Mohammed (consisting the duo Elisha Udom and Victoria Nkanang)

The "Congress" Winners 


The Chairman of the tournament, Eyo Emmanuel, during his closing remarks commended the Justice Udo Udoma Chambers' leadership and Board of Trustees, as well as all the debaters for their efforts. He also congratulated the best speakers and winners Team Mohammed who also shared their immense joy and thanks to the chambers for such an opportunity.

Meet The Best Speakers 


Bringing to a close, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Justice Udo Udoma Chambers, Mr Mkpoikana Aniefiok Mboho gave his vote of thanks, and certificates of excellence were given to the winners while certificates of participation were issued to all the debaters.

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