By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Anambra-born philanthropist and business mogul, Chief Dr. Sir Ikenna Okafor, has announced plans to bring university students across Anambra State together for the Anambra edition of the South East Campus Debate, with a grand prize of ₦1 million for the champions.
Okafor (popularly known as Ide Akwaeze na Neni) made the announcement during a press briefing in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Saturday, where he formally unveiled the initiative alongside his wife, Dr. Esther Okafor (Osodieme), describing it as an effort to encourage students to engage more actively with issues affecting their future and develop the intellectual capacity to influence society.
The debate is being sponsored through his companies, Keves Global Leasing Limited and Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited, makers of Afrirootz Foods, alongside the Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabuo Foundation, established in memory of his late father, Chief Paulinus Okafor, popularly known as Nzekwuabuo.
According to Okafor, the initiative is rooted in his conviction that young people, as future leaders, should devote more time to discussing issues of public importance, sharpening their reasoning and developing the confidence to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He observed that while entertainment activities and reality television programmes such as Big Brother Naija attract considerable attention among young people, there was a need to create more platforms where students could demonstrate their intellectual abilities, exchange ideas and engage in constructive arguments on matters affecting society.
Recalling his own school days, Okafor said he had distinguished himself in debates and quiz competitions, winning laurels for his alma mater. He expressed the desire to see the culture of intellectual contests sustained and improved upon among the younger generation.
According to him, all accredited universities in Anambra State have been invited to participate in the competition, including Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; Paul University, Awka; Madonna University, Okija; Tansian University, Umunya; Peter University, Achina-Onneh; University on the Niger, Umunya; Shanahan University, Onitsha; and Legacy University, Okija.
Giving further details, he said the preliminary rounds of the competition are scheduled for October 17 and 18, 2026, while the grand finale is slated for October 31. Okafor added the competition would feature a range of topics, although the specific debate motions were not listed during the briefing.
Beyond the monetary rewards, he described the intellectual benefits of debating, including improved reasoning, stronger communication and persuasive skills, as lasting gains participants could carry into their academic, professional and public lives.
The champion is expected to receive a prize of up to ₦1 million, with Okafor assuring that the initiative was only the beginning of a broader vision that would be expanded in the coming years.
He also used the occasion to highlight the humanitarian activities of the Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabụọ Foundation, which he established to preserve the legacy of his late father and promote support for people in need.
He said the Foundation had sponsored pupils and students at primary, secondary and university levels, supported persons living with sickle cell disease and blind students, provided assistance to widows, and intervened in schools, particularly in Akwaeze, as well as other communities where the need arose, adding that the Foundation still does these till date.
Okafor described these interventions as an expression of the Foundation’s guiding principle of being one’s brother’s keeper, encapsulated in its mantra, “O ko ko koo, onye e nyelụ, ya nye.”
He further invited members of the public to attend the Foundation’s annual gathering on December 28 to witness its activities and support for beneficiaries.
The philanthropist expressed appreciation to the Management of Mac Clem Marketing for bringing the campus debate idea to him, while urging journalists to publicise the competition widely and encourage students to participate.
He said providing platforms for young people to develop their intellectual abilities and engage with issues affecting society was part of the contribution individuals and organisations could make towards building a greater nation.
Okafor further expressed optimism that the South East Campus Debate would grow beyond its maiden Anambra edition and become a sustained platform for intellectual engagement among students.
The press conference also featured some interactive sessions with newsmen, as well as remarks by Ide’s wife, Dr. Mrs. Okafor; and some members of the organizing team, Engr. Chido Obidiegwu, Joshua Ekeh, and Dr. Adanna Dike, who provided further insights into the initiative.
Witnessed by some students, the conference also featured the official display of some of the trophies to be won in the competition.
