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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Israel Bolarinwa, a 100-level student of Arts and Social Sciences Education at the University of Ibadan, won the National Oratory Award on April 5.
The freshman’s victory came at the grand finale of the 2025 Young Orators competition, held at the Townhouse Hotel, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Sponsored by the Peat Phillips Foundation, with support from the Office of the Youth Development Agency, led by Hon. Prince Adebowale Falana and Mr Victor Olojede, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs, the award recognised Bolarinwa’s exceptional performance.
His win secures him the opportunity to represent Nigeria at a global public speaking competition in London in May 2025.
Akinleye Olu-Phillips, Executive Director of Peat Phillips Foundation, stated that the competition aims to develop communication and leadership skills among youth. Participants praised the intensive yet rewarding training camp, led by national coach Oluwaseun Olamipo Dawodu, which focused on public speaking excellence.
Bolarinwa reflected, “Well… It’s been a long time coming. The national coach for the competition called it one of the greatest upset stories of all time, and I do agree with that. It was a competition that had the best minds from all over the country and even from UI.”
He added, “It was an intense one. From the preliminary rounds up to the semi-final and final, it was tough, but God came through.”
Genesis Studios’ creative partnership enhanced the event, while Chief Dr Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD) gifted finalists monetary tokens for their efforts.
