Jaw War 2024 Kicks off as Awo, Tedder, and Others Move to the Next Round

Jaw War Rise of Legends 2024 themed, Africa’s Travails and Triumphs, Moving Forward, Learning From the Past, commenced on 26th November, 2024. It is University of Ibadan’s sessional oratory and debate competition and hosted by the Literary and Debating Society (TLDS), University of Ibadan,  and will be on till 8th January, 2025.

Abisola Forbes opened the event by introducing the main hosts, Precious Ibeh and Fawehinmi Oyindamola, for the evening for day one. The hosts came up and announced the names of the speakers for the first round of Hall fixtures:

Obafemi Awolowo Hall Speakers: Lilian Chinedu and Akinlawon Goodluck.  

Kuti Hall Speakers: Abidoye Joshua and Temidayo Morakinyo.

Zik Hall Speakers: Faith Nmokelu and Emmanuel Adebiyi.

Tedder Hall Speakers: Akande Omobobola James and Oluwamuyiwa Michael.

Queen Idia Speakers: Amoo Oluwabukunmi and Oludare Anjolapo. 

Mellanby Hall Speakers: Courage Imuokele and Peter Adeyemo.

Alexander Brown Hall Speakers: John Eriomala and Folusho Olu-Adegbola. 

Independence Hall Speakers: Elechi Ikechukwu and Olayinka Tosin. 

The opening speech was made by Ogonna Okere, the President of the Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan. The judges, who included Dr. Ademola Lewis amongst others were also introduced. Dr. Demola Lewis who served as the chief judge laid out the event rules and also made sure to explain the scoring criteria.

In the first round of debate, Alexander Brown Hall competed Obafemi Awolowo Hall, Ransome Kuti Hall faced Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall faced Sultan Bello Hall, Queen Idia Hall faced Kenneth Mellanby Hall, and The Great Independence Hall faced Lord Tedder Hall.

Alexander Brown Hall vs. Obafemi Awolowo Hall debated on: “Is military rule the way forward for African countries?”

Kuti Hall vs. Zik Hall debated on: “Should African countries prioritize open borders or strict regulations?” 

Queen Idia Hall vs. Mellanby Hall debated on: “Should traditional institutions be integrated into modern governanc frameworks?”

Queens Hall vs. Bello Hall debate d on: “Is it justifiable to use animals for scientific research?”  

Independence Hall vs. Tedder Hall debated on: “Porous borders in West Africa are the primary catalyst for the region’s illicit trade, drug trafficking, and terrorism problems.” 

Mr. Morgan Stephen, one of the judges, announced the results of the first round of the inter-hall debate.

Zik Hall scored 67.3%, while Kuti Hall scored 65%. Idia Hall scored 76.1% while Mellanby Hall scored 61.6%. ABH scored 66% while Obafemi Awolowo Hall scored 71%. Independence Hall scored 72.5% while Tedder Hall scored 72.25%. Queens Hall scored 66.8% while Sultan Bello Hall scored 66.6%.

The five winners from each pair, Awo Hall, Queens Hall, Independence Hall, Idia Hall, and Zik Hall, are moving to the next round while the best loser, Tedder Hall was added to the list which made a total of six halls to compete at the second round of the inter-hall debate on 5th December, 2024.

One of the speaker from Idia Hall, Amoo Dorcas, was announced the best speaker of the day.