Fisayo Soyombo delivered the keynote speech at the ongoing eighth edition of the Superbowl Competition which held on the 20th of December, 2024 at the Dame Edith Okowa Hall, Alumni Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
The oratory competition started with a musical rendition by Original Kenzy and afterwards, the Masters of Ceremony, and introduced themselves and welcomed individuals to the program. The procession of speakers came in. The speakers from different institutions came in their different traditional attires.
The schools in attendance were the University of Ibadan, Lead City University, Abiola Ajumobi University, Federal School of Surveying, Ladoke Akintola University, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Ajayi Crowther University, Atiba University, Dominican University, Emmanuel Alatande University of Education, Federal College of Forestry, Federal Co-operative College and Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan.
Dr. Demola Lewis, the chief Judge of the oratory competition gave the rules and what the competitors would be scored on. There was to be three sets of speeches, one which was going to be on the topic “This is Nigeria” was to be for three minutes and two impromptu speeches which will go on for a minute each. Other judging criteria included logic, time management, delivery and speech organisation.
Immediately afterwards, the speakers were called in. The order for picking the student speakers for each speech was determined by a ballot thrown. The first set of speeches was taken in sets of fives and all speakers eulogised and praised Nigeria in their speech while trying to sell Nigeria to investors.
A musical interlude brought in the investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo who gave a heart wrenching keynote speech on Nigeria and the rot in the Nigerian government. His speech portrayed the paradoxical situation of Nigeria where the institutions created to fight against crime are the ones perpetuating it.
After the Keynote speech, the next session of speeches, which was the impromptu speech which involved talking about pictures portrayed on the screen. The pictures varied from pictures of a yellow card, to a blank screen shown to Ugochukwu Chineke of the University of Ibadan.
After another musical interlude, Mr. Fisayo Soyombo was given an award of appreciation which was presented Honourable Victor Olejede, senior special assistant to the Governor of Oyo state on Student Affairs.
Following this, another round of oratory contest began. Each contestants came and spoke on their heroes for two minutes.
The judges have started collating the results which would be called out soon while participants received plaques for their participation.
