‘Academic Competitions Promote Research, Unity’

Under teacher’s diary

Bassey Inyang in Calabar

The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Matthew Emuekpere has stated that academic-based competitions among Navy schools in the country were designed to inculcate the habit of research and constructive reasoning for national unity and development.

Emuekpere, who made this known during the closing session of the 2018 annual Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Debate Competition for Navy Secondary Schools, said the event was part of the Navy’s contribution to youth development in the country. “It is aimed at reducing youth restiveness in parts of the country.

“It is also designed to expose the students intellectually through research and to give them the opportunity to make contributions on topical issues affecting the society.”

Emuekpere, who was represented by the Logistic Officer, Commodore Bala Idris, stressed the need for the students to make strong recommendations that would help those in authority in formulating youth-friendly policies.

Also speaking, the representative of the Director of Naval Education, Navy Headquarters, Olusegun Owolabi, said the schools qualified for the final stage of the competition after the marathon elimination series that started in March. He said the competition was to stimulate learning among students and to enable them socialise with one another.

In the competition that held at NNSS Calabar, the host defeated NNSS Port Harcourt to emerge first position in the debate category, while NNSS Port Harcourt came first after defeating NNSS Ogbomosho and NNSS Okura in the quiz category.