Folakemi Adebayo and Oluwagunwa Michael, 300-level students of the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, have emerged as the winners of the UI British Parliamentary Debating Society Clash 3.0 Competition which took place yesterday, 8th March 2025, at Drapers Hall, Institute of African Studies, UI.
The duo (Team Gentlemen) defeated a field of seven other teams in the semi-final and final of the competition, where the motion “This House ejects Tinubunomics; the floating of the Naiara and fuel subsidy removal” was debated, to emerge as the winners of the UI BP Society’s flagship competition.
Emmanuel Utibe, a UIMSAite, and Ifeanyichukwu Elechi were in second place, while Team Shockwave, made up of two UIMSAites, Adebiyi Emmanuel and Ugor Benedict ranked third. With that victory, the duo became the second consecutive Law pairing to win the competition after Ademola Focus and AbidoyeJoshua, at last year’s edition. They have previously spoken together at the semi-finals of Jaw War: Rise of Legends and at the 2024 Leap Africa Debate Contest.
The event also featured a handover ceremony for the new executives of the Society. They are: Bello Ruqayyah – Captain, McLaniyi Sapphire – Deputy Captain, Akinjare David – Head of Research, Afeezah Wojuade – Publicity Head, Olalusi Susan – Logistics Head, Ifeanyi Elechukwu – Deputy Head of Research, and Olayiwola Bright – Deputy Head of Logistics.
Speaking with the Press on her win, Folakemi, said, “I can’t find the right words. It was exciting, strange, unfamiliar, and challenging all at the same time. I haven’t enjoyed a debate this much, so it was great. It was a breath of fresh air.“
Eriomala John
