30/09/2026
Be More Interested in Your Future — Engr. Obongo Charges Andoni Students
A renowned technocrat and Civil Engineer, Engr. Dokubo Philip Nicholas Obongo, has charged students in Andoni Local Government Area to shun social vices such as cultism, gangsterism and truancy, and embrace education as a pathway to becoming tomorrow’s leaders.
Engr. Obongo made the call while speaking at the maiden edition of the Engr. Dokubo Philip Nicholas Obongo Interschool Debate Competition, sponsored by him to promote education and youth development in Andoni.
According to him, privileged individuals have a responsibility to invest in the future of young people by supporting educational initiatives and competitions that expose students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), thereby preparing them for the challenges of the modern world.
He explained that he initiated the debate competition to give students the opportunity to develop their public-speaking skills, build self-confidence and prepare themselves for future academic and career opportunities.
Speaking on his passion for education in Andoni, Engr. Obongo promised that the next edition would involve secondary schools from across the Local Government Area. He disclosed that the programme would also be expanded to include Science and Arts Quiz Competitions, in partnership with the National Union of Andoni Students (NUAS) Worldwide, as well as scholarship opportunities for undergraduates from Andoni.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the programme, Prof. Uriah Oboada Alafonye, commended Engr. Obongo for initiating the competition and called on other philanthropists in Andoni to invest in the future of the people through education.
Representing the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Peter Nwagor, the Zonal Director of Education in Andoni, Deacon Monday Morrison, applauded the organisers for complementing the efforts of government in the education sector.
He noted that the Ministry of Education expects more private individuals and organisations to support government efforts towards the development of education and human capital in Rivers State.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the competition, Sir Uyeke Johnson Arong, said the initiative was designed to groom secondary school students in Andoni in modern debating techniques and prepare them to compete favourably with their peers elsewhere.
At the end of the competition, Community Secondary School, Ikuru Town, emerged winner with 146 points, defeating Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Okoroboile, which scored 123 points.
Other schools that participated in the maiden edition included Government Secondary School, Ngo; Community Secondary School, Oyorokoto; Doni Comprehensive Secondary School, Unyengala; Community Secondary School, Agwut-Obolo; Community Secondary School, Ilotombi; Community Secondary School, Agana; and Community Secondary School, Ekede UBE section.
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