Call them President Bola Tinubu’s kids; then Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s children. You won’t be wrong.

For in reality, that sums up the story of five young Deltans who left Nigeria as national champions to compete in Qatar and returned to the country as global champions.

They brought honour and fame to Nigeria, to Delta state and to their respective schools and families.

Take a bow:  Wisdom Chukwuma of Government College, Ughelli; Otorvo Uyoyou of Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun; Abraham Honour of Okpaka Secondary School, Okpaka; Ekhamateh Splendour of Government Model Secondary School, Asaba; and Alika Daniel of Utagba-Ogbe Grammar School, Kwale. They are all students of public schools in Delta.

Ahead of their stellar performance in Qatar, they had emerged champions at the 2025 President’s National Basic Education Debate Championship, which earned them the ticket to represent Nigeria at the World Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar.

To emerge champions in the national President’s schools debate, they out-performed other young debaters from 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. They showed oratory, lexical elegance, critical thinking, linguistic sophistry, stage craft, teamwork and typical Delta spirit of self-confidence and charisma.

The Delta quintet showed no butterflies. They were assertive and compelling in their arguments, persuasive with a splash of eloquence. They were not fazed by the audience.

They possessed every stage of the national competition, wowing the audience with raw intelligence, logicality and an uncanny ability to verbalise their thoughts at the speed of light.

Besides, they evinced a firm grasp of contemporary issues in a manner that truly set them apart from their competitors.

The Delta-Five simply owned the national debate championship. They made it their show with a dash of distinction. That was the badge of honour they took to the 2025 World Basic Schools Debate Championship held in Doha, Qatar.

And they excelled against competition from United States of America and host nation, Qatar, debating on climate change, youth empowerment and responsible technology use.

It was a triumph of ‘the spirit of Delta’ and a testament to the strategic investment in education by Oborevwori; an investment that spans teachers recruitment, capacity building, infrastructure addition and upgrade, welfare of education personnel across the value chain, all of which have created the conducive ergonomics for experiential learning.

One common feature in Delta public education is funding. Oborevwori, himself a product of public-school system, believes that with the right tools, upskilled personnel, and good funding, Nigeria public schools can rival any in the world.

He was the first governor to pay the 2025 counterpart funding for UBEC-SUBEB projects. His unrelenting push for quality academic and technical education has manifested in more school enrolments, improved performance in external examinations and enhanced technical competencies among youths in the state. It is a template worthy of national implementation.

A strong advocate of performance-based reward, the governor gifted each of the five students and their handlers with a goodly N20 million. Oborevwori is an ideal intentional leader whose predilection to welfare has been legendary all through his public life.

He believes that governments at all levels must be people-centric. It was the same spirit of people-centred leadership that made him launch the Widows Welfare Scheme, which seeks to empower 10,000 widows through direct financial aid and access to free healthcare as well as the release of N10 billion to clear outstanding pension arrears owed to retirees in the state.

This bucks the trend whereby retirees wait on end before receiving their deserved entitlements. Nigeria has had a poor sense of welfare for pensioners with hundreds dropping dead while waiting to be paid or while protesting non-payment of their pensions and gratuities.

In a particular south-west state in 2015, 236 pensioners reportedly died in seven months as a result of the inability of the state government to pay their pension and gratuity, according to a Radio Nigeria report at that time.

Even at the federal level, the issue of delayed payment and in some cases non-payment of pension has caused strains and deaths of retires in a manner that is not only shameful but affronts the fundamental rights of the retirees.

There has been a toxic pattern of owing retirees across the country. But not so with Oborevwori. He believes that while governance focuses on building infrastructure across all spectrum of endeavour, the human element in society must never be neglected.

He sees this as a duty, an undeniable obligation to humanity. And he has kept his word. So far, a total of N36.4 billion had been paid in pensions, and N1.4 billion is being released for payment of pensions monthly since he assumed office.

“Our retirees are men and women who gave their best years in service to the state. It is only just that they receive what is duly owed to them, and under my watch, their welfare will remain top priority,” he said recently during a meeting with the state’s Pension Board.

Leadership in emerging economies like Nigeria must be deliberate in visioning, and purposeful in implementation.

This was the model of Lee Kuan Yew, the architect of modern Singapore. He was devoted to quality education of Singaporeans and the enthronement of merit over sundry mundane considerations.

He enforced the learning of English language making Singaporeans bilingual and becoming globally competitive.

This deliberateness in leadership led to the emergence of Singapore from the ruins of war into a frontline global economy.

Indeed, success is neither an accident nor a happenstance. It comes from a premeditated visioning of a desired destination and calculated implementation of the critical processes that will lead to that destination.

Oborevwori from the outset promised to deliver a MORE agenda of Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.

The rash of reforms he has wrought in the education sector alone underscores the competitive edge of Delta students both locally and globally.

It is a rebirth of the good old days when Delta, even as a component of the defunct Bendel state, was the exemplar for youth development, academic and sporting excellence in the country.

From law, medicine and engineering to liberal arts and social sciences, Delta colleges and universities have continued to excel in major competitions thus cementing the state’s position not only as a benchmark in education but also a model in youth development and upskilling for global competitiveness.

This is not a by-product of ad hoc and episodic leadership. Such landmarks are achieved with conscious leadership, the type epitomised by Oborevwori.

The fact that the fantastic Delta-Five are all students of public schools in the state speaks volumes of the governor’s determination to make Delta education sector the archetypal 21^st century standard in the country.

·       Umukoro, a public policy analyst, writes from Warri

In a sweeping act of educational support, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has channelled a staggering ₦86.3 billion into the hands of 450,000 students, marking a defining moment in the nation’s push for accessible higher education .

From Promise to Reality

When President Tinubu signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act in April 2024, few could have fully predicted the scale of impact it would soon generate . Today’s announcement brings that law to vivid life, converting legislative intent into tangible aid for nearly half a million students across Nigeria.

Stories Behind the Numbers

Imagine a first-year engineering student in Onitsha, Onitsha—previously faced with the real possibility of abandoning school mid-semester—now able to pay her tuition and housing bills, thanks to her NELFUND loan. Across the country, hopeful minds in remote communities, technical colleges, and vocational training centres are likewise experiencing a renewed sense of possibility.

Systemic Reach, Individual Impact

This isn’t a one-off dispersal—rather, it’s part of a growing continuum. Just back in February, NELFUND had already extended institutional loan support amounting to ₦22.7 billion for 215,514 students for the 2023/2024 academic year . The latest disbursement now significantly broadens that scope, both in scale and inclusivity.

What This Means for Nigeria’s Future

Amplified Access: Undeniably, ₦86.3 billion rightfully earned the label “transformative.” By bringing nearly half a million students into the fold, NELFUND is widening higher-education access in a way previously unthought-of.

Economic Ripple Effect: Beyond tuition, these loans buffer expenses for books, living costs, and skill development—fueling markets and nurturing local economies across urban and rural areas alike.

Hope Becomes Tangible: For parents, caretakers, and students, financial obstacles no longer have to determine academic fate. This funding turns distant aspirations into concrete realities.

Looking Ahead

As Nigeria’s youth press forward, armed with education and determination, the question turns to sustainability. Will NELFUND maintain this momentum? How will the repayment plans and administrative systems evolve to ensure long-term viability?

Still, for now, the spotlight is rightly on the students—those who can now look toward graduation with renewed hope and purpose.

A new wave of educational transformation is coming! The highly anticipated South East Educators Conference (SEEC) 2025 is set to take place from May 2nd to 3rd, 2025 at the prestigious Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, under the powerful theme: “Advancing Education: Innovation, Leadership & Transformation.”

Barr. Doris Chinedu-Okoro, Convener of SEEC, said this year’s edition promises to be the most impactful yet, gathering a dynamic blend of visionaries, thought leaders, innovators, educators, and policymakers to drive conversations, collaborations, and commitments that will shape the future of education in Nigeria and beyond.

Keynote Speakers

The Convener said the keynote speakers include; His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke – former Governor of Cross River State and Founder, the Bridge Leadership Foundation and a statesman passionate about youth development and sustainable leadership, is among the pious keynote speakers.

Also, “Mr. Paul Onwuanibe – CEO, Landmark Group – a trailblazing entrepreneur whose insight into innovation and infrastructure development will challenge educational stakeholders to think big and build boldly”.

Other Speakers include;

Rotimi Eyitayo – CEO, Teammasters & Education Business School, Chinoso Ogbogu – Co-Founder, Sabi Writers, Rhoda Odigboh – Education Thought Leader & Regional Director Kizazi, Dr. Joy Isa – President Isa School Of Education & Educational Strategist, Fisayo Oludipe – Education Consultant & Leadership Coach, and Susan Charles – Learning Innovator, Moyo Lifematics – Mathematics Educator & Content Creator, Eben Odetola Israel – EdTech Advocate, Mr. Ogunsola – STEM Educator, and Yinka Ogunde – CEO, Edumark Consult. “…and many more voices of influence across Africa’s educational and leadership landscape!”

Highlights to Look Forward to:

“Gala Night – A celebration of brilliance, impact, and community; Movie Night – A night of reflection and bonding through storytelling; Educator Awards – Honoring those who go beyond the call of duty to inspire change; Breakout Sessions & Masterclasses – Practical, hands-on learning experiences, and Exhibitions & EdTech Showcases – Featuring tools, innovations, and solutions for the future-ready educator.

“SEEC 2025 is not just a conference. It is a movement—a call to action for educators, school owners, government stakeholders, parents, and youth advocates to come together and reimagine the future of learning, teaching, and leadership in Africa.

“We believe education is the engine of national development. SEEC 2025 will equip every stakeholder to not only adapt to change—but to drive it,” says Barr. Doris Chinedu-Okoro, added.

To participate at SEEC2025, register via the link and secure your slot.  www.southeasteducatorsconference.com.

Follow the conversation online using #SEEC2025 and tag us @southeasteducationconference on all platforms. For sponsorship, media partnerships, or exhibition opportunities, contact us at [email protected]