Olabisi Onabanjo University Wins Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike National Law Debate Competition

The Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike National Law Debate Competition 2023 has been won by Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.

Undergraduate legal students from more than 20 law colleges in all four regions of Nigeria participated in the tournament, which comprised four stages.

The winners received a combined N350,000 Naira cash prize fund, award plaques, certificate of excellence and law books gifts.

The National Debate is open to all Nigerian recognized law schools’ students. Its goal is to support superior legal education, research, advocacy, and critical thinking for aspiring attorneys, equipping them with the necessary skills for a fruitful future in law or legal practice. The debate’s themes, topics, arguments, and conclusions will also give young minds a platform for advocacy, action, and intellectual deliberation while raising awareness of pressing national challenges and illuminating potential answers.

The final round was between Olabisi Onabanjo University (Team Diamond) and University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (Team Beryl) with Olabisi Onabanjo University represented by Wuraola Okuneye and Runsewe Oluwakemi emerging as the Winner and University of Nigeria Enugu Campus represented by Ugochukwu Precious Nmesonma and Eze Nwakaego Ogochukwu emerging as the 1st Runner up. Eze Nwakaego Ogochukwu of University of Nigeria Enugu Campus emerged as the Best Speaker.

The first part of the award presentation was held in the Olabisi Onabanjo University Law Faculty boardroom on the 5th day of June 2023. In attendance was the Vice Chancellor, Prof Johnson Agboola Ayodeji, the Dean Faculty of Law, Dr Gbade Akinrimade, some other distinguished lecturers and administrative staff of the Faculty, the awardees, their team and select students. Also present was the Foundation’s Associate Head of Legal and Research Barr Ruth Soronnadi for the presentation of the award. The 2nd part of the award presentation was held at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. In attendance was the Dean, Prof Ifeoma Enemo, the Sub Dean, Dr Helen Agu, the Faculty Officer, the student awardees and their team members.

The Vice Chancellor of OOU, the Faculty Deans, lecturers and the student awardees commended and expressed their gratitude to the Foundation for the work being done by Foundation in supporting legal education and excellent legal research. The Foundation Head of Legal and Research Bar Ruth Sorannadi expressed her gratitude to all who partnered with and saw to the success of the debate competition. Of special mention is Barrister Wola Joseph for the partnership and sponsorship of the Winner and 1st Runner Up Cash prize award.

The Foundation’s Co-chairs, Dr Cynthia Chisom Umezulike and Dr Victor Azubike Umezulike noted that the Foundation remains committed to advancing excellent legal education and research which is what their late Father Hon Justice Innocent Azubike Umezulike OFR, FCIArb, FIIAN, an acclaimed Professor of Land and Property Law with over 25 published books as well as the longest serving Chief Justice in the South East was known for in his lifetime and the legacy he has left behind.