The competition, which began in May 2022, attracted hundreds of applications from secondary school students in Lagos State between the ages of thirteen to seventeen years.

This is in a bid to encourage the educational development of Nigerian youths through a highly-interactive platform that stimulates intellectual conversations around the complex socio-economic issues affecting the growth and development of the country.

The grand finale of the ‘I Beg to Differ’ competition, which was broadcast live on Nigeria Info’s Hard Fact Show, had Esther defeating Hameed Olarewaju, an SS2 student of Rainbow College Day School, Lekki, after debating on a socio-political topic which was entitled “Nigerians Are Getting the Politicians they Deserve.”

Speaking on the successful completion of the competition, Femi Obong Daniels, the General Manager of Corporate Affairs for Cool FM, Wazobia FM, and Nigeria Info, commended the contestants for demonstrating a high level of brilliancy and resilience to pull through the various stages of the competition.

“I want to use this medium to congratulate all the contenders who have pulled through the various stages of the debate tournament. I understand it is not an easy process as you all have been challenged to stretch your intellectual capacity by debating complex socio-economic issues of both national and global importance. I must acknowledge the fact that you all have displayed an impressive level of resilience and I am confident that this debate tournament has impacted you with some positive experiences you are going to cherish as you progress in life,” he said.

Expressing her excitement after emerging as the winner of the competition, Esther Bewaji, expressed her sincere gratitude to everyone who supported her in achieving this level of success.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who lent a helping hand in diverse ways while I was preparing for this debate competition. I must acknowledge that it was not an easy one as it stretched my abilities in every ramification. I am also grateful to Nigeria Info for allowing me to express my opinion on national and global issues,” she noted.

Esther was awarded a one-million-naira cash prize, a laptop, and a tablet, while the first-runner up, Hameed Olanrewaju, received 500,000 naira, a smartphone, and a tablet. The second-runner up, Qoowiyyah Wuraola Salam, an SS2 student of At-Tanzeel Schools, won 250,000 naira, a Bluetooth speaker, and a tablet.

The “I Beg To Differ” Student Debate Tournament is a youth-led brainchild of Nigeria Info 99.3 FM which aims to develop the intellectual capabilities of Nigerian youth, including their public-speaking skill, through the debate sessions on national and global issues.

This is in a bid to provide sport-loving Nigerians with the opportunity to experience the UEFA Champions League Finals between Liverpool and Real Madrid in a grand style.

The event, which is themed “The Rebirth,” promises to feature a mix of both comical and musical performances from the likes of Wande Coal, DJ CrowdKontroller and Ushbebe while Do2dtun would serve as the official host.

Commenting on the relaunch of the event, Joseph Adamu, the Group Head of Events and Experientials, expressed his excitement concerning the top-notch entertaining experience football lovers across the country, particularly those residing in Lagos, would enjoy.

“We, as an indigenous radio group, understand the critical role we play in shaping both the entertaining and sporting experiences Nigerians get to enjoy in totality. This is because we as a brand have come to realize how entertainment and sports, especially football, play a major role in redefining the happiness of an average Nigerian. It is on this backdrop that we are delighted to reintroduce GoalFest to sport-loving Nigerians in a bid to also celebrate the post-COVID era,” he said.

GoalFest is a first-class sporting event that is built to contribute to the overall growth and development of both the Nigerian entertainment and sports ecosystem through the celebration of sporting events in creative ways.