Commissioner Faults Selection Process For World Water Day Debate In Bauchi

Bauchi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki, has criticised the selection process of students for the 2025 World Water Day debate competition, highlighting a breach of eligibility rules.

LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that the 12 local government areas competed in the debate, with Toro LGA emerging as the winner, followed by Gamawa in second place and Ganjuwa in third.

Zaki said this during the closing ceremony of the debate competition at Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi. The debate was organised under the Presidential Schools Debate Programme.

The commissioner who was represented by Mallam Yakubu Ahmad, expressed disappointment that some participants were not primary school students as stipulated by the competition’s guidelines.

Despite his concerns, the commissioner lauded the debate’s theme, “Ensuring Access to Clean Water and Practising Sanitation is the Sole Responsibility of Individuals.”

He emphasised its importance in promoting water, sanitation and hygiene practices among young Nigerians.

On his part, the executive chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Adamu Muhammad Duguri, represented by permanent commissioner one, Ishaku Suleiman Abdullahi, praised the students’ performance and advocated for the programme’s sustainability to enhance national development.He commended the participants and acknowledged the state government’s support.