Oriwu College Wins Ardova School Debate On Girls’ Leadership

Oriwu Senior Model College has won the maiden edition of the Ardova Plc School Debate Competition, aimed at promoting leadership skills among girls in public secondary schools.

The contest, held in Lagos, organised to mark International Women’s Day, featured five schools debating the motion: “Providing girls with leadership opportunities is more impactful than providing financial support alone.”

Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, represented by Rhoda Aluko and Elizabeth Agbede, secured first place, taking home N250,000 and a desktop computer. Oregun Senior High School finished second with N200,000 and a sound system, while Ayedere Ajibola Senior High School, Ketu, came third, winning N150,000 and a sound system. Other schools, including Ikeja Senior High School and Eva Adelaja Girls Senior Secondary School, also received cash prizes and equipment.

Ardova Plc said the initiative reflects its commitment to nurturing future female leaders by equipping students with soft skills such as confidence, communication, and networking.

Speaking at the event, managing director of Ardova Plc, Mr Moshood Olajide, emphasised the importance of soft skills for girls, saying they need them to excel as the leaders of tomorrow.

‘’What concerns us most about educating the girl child are access and soft skills. I think the leaders of tomorrow would need more soft skills, and public schools are at a disadvantageous position in that aspect when compared with private schools. We want to provide opportunities for students in public schools to gain these soft skills, such as confidence and networking, among others. They are very important,” he said.

Speaking on the choice of the participating schools, he added, “I think the critical factor is that they have to be public schools, they have to be girls, and the selection was largely done randomly. We just picked schools across Lagos State. If we are doing it next year, it will be another round of schools. We did it in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, and it may be expanded next time depending on how this one goes. The schools are not necessarily in the same education district. I call on other corporate bodies to join in putting together programmes like this.”

Speaking in the same vein, deputy managing director Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo pointed out that the programme was in line with the theme of this year’s IWD, which was “Give her a voice today, gain a leader tomorrow.”