BUK Hosts 2023 Young Historian Competition
By Benjamin Joseph
The semi-final of the Young Historian Competition (YHC), endorsed by the Restored Heart Foundation, was held at Bayero University Kano on September 23, 2023.
The competition, which aims to promote Nigeria’s rich history and cultural heritage among young adults, was a success.
According to the organizers of the competition, the event was meant to give young Nigerian out there a quality sense of their history which actually calls for the inter-regional debate among students in Nigeria to debate on timely topics which will serve as an eye opener to young Nigerians.
The semi-final showdown was among four inter-regional students: Joy Adebayo of Adekunle Ajashin University, Ondo State; Ambumalik Abubakar of Bayero University, Kano; Rose John of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; and Luke Daramola of the University of Ilorin. All semifinalists debated on two chosen topics.
The first topic was “The role of Nigeria’s institutions in Nigerian government; strengthens tradition or hindering progress?” Abubakar, who was on the supporting side of the topic, had a score of 77.8%, while Joy, on the opposing side of the topic, had 72.5%.
The second topic was “The impact of Nigerians in the diaspora on national development; brain drain or a source of global influence?” Rose John, who was on the supporting side, had 74.1%, while Luke Daramola, on the opposing side, had 77.8%.
Both Luke and Abubakar advanced to the final stage of the YHC, which will take place on October 1 in Abuja.
In a brief interview conducted after the competition, the executive director of the Restored Heart Foundation, Mr. Samuel Oluwatimileyin, expressed his gratitude towards the management of BUK and how Kano was the ideal ground for the semi-final competition.
He advised young Nigerians to uphold their country’s history and cultural heritage. He also admonished the youth to work for a better Nigeria.
The debate which was a back and forth tassel had in attendance several dignitaries, including the dean of student affairs, Professor Shamsuddeen Umar; Dr. Saminu Umar of the department of sociology; and the Student Union Government (SUG) President.
