UNIZIK Medical Student Gets N8m Scholarship From Ide Akwaeze For Winning Debate Competition

By Tony Okafor, Awka

A final-year medical student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Nnaemeka Victor, has received an N8 million scholarship from businessman and philanthropist, Chief Sir Dr Ikenna Okafor, popularly known as Ide Akwaeze, following his institution’s victory at a Southeast university debate competition.

Okafor announced the scholarship at the grand finale of his maiden South East Campus Debate Competition (Anambra State edition), held at Bethel City Auditorium, Onitsha, on Saturday.

UNIZIK emerged overall winner of the competition, defeating three other institutions to clinch the first position and a cash prize of N1 million, alongside other prizes.

Paul University, Awka, finished second, while Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, and Anambra State College of Nursing Sciences, Nkpor, came third and fourth respectively.

The N8 million scholarship awarded to Victor was the major highlight of the event, which attracted students and stakeholders from the education sector.
The competition featured debates on the role of activism in politics, with participants arguing for and against the motion.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Macclemm Marketing Communications Limited and former Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Chido Obidiegwu, who coordinated the project, recounted how the debate initiative was conceived through his relationship with Okafor.

He disclosed that their relationship dated back to 2022 when, as ABS managing director, he approached the philanthropist for private-sector support to revive the broadcasting establishment.

According to him, Okafor not only granted his management team an audience but also donated a 30KVA generator to the station, significantly improving its operations.

He said the philanthropist continued to support ABS until his departure in September 2024, adding that Okafor also supported him during his 60th birthday celebration and the launch of his book, Beyond Sycophancy.

The coordinator further disclosed that Okafor was the first guest on his podcast, Chidoscope Narratives, launched in 2025.

He said it was during the podcast that Okafor revealed that he had won the best speaker award at an Anambra State secondary school debate competition and also emerged winner of the state quiz competition in successive years.

According to him, when he asked Okafor whether he would be interested in sponsoring a debate or quiz competition to groom young people, the philanthropist immediately agreed.

“That was the day the seed of South East Campus Debate was planted, and we are all gathered here today to nourish and give it greater momentum,” Obidiegwu said.
Explaining the motivation behind the initiative, the coordinator quoted Okafor as saying that he wanted to groom a new generation of young Nigerians capable of contributing meaningfully to national and subnational discourse through eloquence, confidence, sound reasoning and persuasive communication.

The initiative, he said, was also intended to prepare young people for leadership responsibilities.

The coordinator also paid tribute to the late Vice-Chancellor of Tansian University, Prof. Carter Umeh, who, he said, was part of the planning of the competition but died before the event.

Speaking at the event, Ide Akwaeze said the competition was designed to promote intellectual development, public speaking, critical thinking and entrepreneurial consciousness among Nigerian students.

He described the Anambra edition as a test-run for the initiative, expressing optimism that it would be extended to other parts of the Southeast.

He said the competition was also intended to challenge students to take their academic pursuits seriously and prepare themselves for leadership and other responsibilities after graduation.

Okafor disclosed that the initiative was sponsored through his companies, including Keves Global Leasing Limited, Ideal Agro Allied Produce Limited, makers of Afrirootz Foods, and the Nzekwuabuo Foundation, established in memory of his late father, Chief Paulinus Okafor.

He said the foundation had undertaken several interventions in education and humanitarian services, including scholarships for pupils and students at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, support for persons living with sickle cell disease, assistance to blind students and widows, as well as interventions in schools in Akwaeze community, Anaocha Local Government Area.

“Education is a right which I strongly believe every Nigerian child should have, if possible, free of charge,” he said.

He added that the responsibility of making Nigeria work rested on every citizen and should not be left to government alone.

“My happiest hobby in life is mentoring the upcoming ones in all aspects of human existence,” he said.

The philanthropist commended the Anambra State Government, under Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for providing an enabling environment for the successful conduct of the competition.

He also urged the media to publicise the initiative to encourage other individuals and organisations to invest in education and youth development.

The scholarship beneficiary, Victor, expressed appreciation to Okafor for the gesture, calling on Nigerian leaders and philanthropists to emulate him by supporting financially disadvantaged students.

In their separate remarks, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike; Commissioner for Education, Dr Ekene Longinus Ogugua( represented); and member representing Aguata I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Anayo Okpalaeke, described Okafor as a mentor and a blessing to humanity.

The event was attended by representatives of the traditional ruler of Akwaeze, HRM Igwe Christopher Okpala (Ezennebo III), and other stakeholders in the education sector.

Other institutions listed among those involved in the competition included Madonna University, Okija; Peter University, Achina-Onneh; University on the Niger, Umunya; Shanahan University, Onitsha; and Legacy University, Okija.