The School of Eloquence, Nigeria’s foremost public speaking training Institution is set to hold its Annual Public Speaking Challenge known as the “Eloquence Cup” and 17th Anniversary on 25th November, 2023 at the headquarters in Ikoyi ,Lagos.
The School has trained and nurtured thousands of leaders in the specialty of effective oral communication over the years.
The Dean, School of Eloquence, Mr. Ubong Essien in a press conference, revealed that the Public Speaking Challenge is organized to give back to the society and groom future leaders which is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
He explained that the institution birthed the idea of training senior secondary school students of both public and private owned schools in 2015. The art of public speaking he said, would teach them to air their views in the society without engaging in name calling and other negative ways of contributing to public issues.
” In the past seven years, the School of Eloquence has been actively
involved in the “Catching Them Young Programme” of teaching
secondary school students the art of public speaking and over seven years has
trained hundreds of senior secondary school student in public speaking across
over 50 schools in Lagos. The highlight of this project is the annual public
speaking challenge known as the “Eloquence Cup,” a contest between
secondary schools coming together to speak on topical national issues”.
” We also refer to the competition as the ultimate speaking faceoff. If we teach them now and early to battle it out using their thoughts and words, they will not be found snatching ballot boxes or heating up the polity in their time. Public speaking is a skill that molds character because it stems from the mind and harnesses the body as tools to deliver oneās message to compel others. People who cannot organize their thoughts lash out easily and quickly because of mental laziness and unwillingness to subject the mind to the actual rigour of articulation”.
Mr Essien emphasized that the competition is not a debate and it will be a day for marking the institution’s 17th Anniversary.
” 2023 marks the 5th edition of the competition, and the event is traditionally
used to commemorate the Schoolās anniversary and will be marking 17 years of existence of the School of Eloquence.
He added that the trophy will be given to the overall best school while cash rewards will be given to individual winners and teachers. The topic for this year’s edition, he said, is ” Drug Abuse and it’s Harmfulness to Youths” .
” The overall best student will given N150,000, the second best will have N100,000 and the third will have N75, 000. The teachers will not be left out in receiving prizes”.
The Registrar, School of Eloquence, Mrs Patience Essien disclosed that 10 schools will participate in the competition.
” Schools that shall be participating in the 2023 Eloquence Cup include: CMS Grammar School, Lagos , Queens College Lagos , Kings College, Lagos , St. Gregoryās College, Girls Senior Secondary School, Ikoyi, Falomo Senior High School ,Ireti Senior Grammar School Ikoyi, Kuramo Senior College, Victoria Island, Victoria Island Senior Secondary School, Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School”.
While addressing the press, Mr Abidemi Edmond, Cheif Responsibility Officer, The Nedola Initiative Ltd (TNIL) ,who is the CSR consultant on the ” Catching Them Young” Project commended the institution’s efforts to keep young minds busy and distant from social vices.
” School of Eloquence is doing a fantastic job in keeping the young ones engaged.This is a global initiative.We believe that this year’s edition will be memorable.We will get better as the years go by”.
In attendance was , Leopold Favour a student of CMS Grammar School and winner of 2022 edition of the competition.
Favour expressed his gratitude to the School for the opportunity to partake in the competition once again.He also hopes his school comes first this year.
” I am grateful for the opportunity to participate last year and in this year’s edition.As a school, we are putting in our best to make sure that we win once again”.
On her part, Chukwuemeka Sophia, student of Queens College sees the opportunity as an avenue for students to hone their skill in public speaking.
” We expect that this
competition continues.We will use the opportunity to evaluate our oratory and eloquence skills.We are coming back better and stronger” she said.
