By Bose Adelaja

Three secondary schools have emerged winners of this year annual inter schools debate competition in Ogun State packaged as a Corporate Social Responsibility by Mace Club Of Nigeria.

The event, which took place at African Church Grammar, school Abeokuta, focused on the topic tilted “If absolute eradication of Malaria is possible in Nigeria, given her level of socio-economic and political development”.

In his opening remark at the event, the President of the Club, Mr. Bayo Ajibode said “the inter school debate competition amongst secondary schools which started three years ago is already impacting positively on the society generally, given the quantum of interest it has generated not only in the educational sector, but also in the health care and the pharmaceutical sector of the nation’s economy, through participation and collaboration”

On the part of the Ministry of Education, in Ogun State, the Honorable Commissioner for Education, science and Technology, represented by Elder Yemi Akinwonmi said, the topic of this year debate is quite apt and relevant considering the spread of this endemic disease, which is daily claiming lives in the country. All hands must be on deck to fight the disease, and like the slogan says, “Kill it dead”.

Continuing he said, “one of the most Vulnerable victims of the disease is the adolescent group which incidentally falls within your age group. Exposing to this type of academic exercise is therefore a step in the right direction. It is also in line with one of the aims of the Millennium Development Goals, which strives to combat and eradicate all endemic diseases including malaria”