Shekinat Abubakar
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his commitment to academic excellence through digital learning and inter school competitions that could enhance students performance and confidence.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji stated this while speaking during 2025 Kids and Teen Premier Inter-School Leadership Debate and Conference, organized by the King David Leadership Academy (KDLA), with one million Naira prize for winners.
Oyebanji, represented by his Special Adviser on Youth Development, Maxwell Olu-Ajayi, Governor Oyebanji affirmed that students need to engage in extra curricular activities that could sharpen their thoughts and confidence required to compete globally.
He commended the organizers of the debate competition and stressed the need for schools to introduce innovations that could improve students performance.
During the exercise, John Ituraoluwa (Basic 5) from EKSU Staff School, Ado Ekiti won the junior school category while Ayangbade Vivian from Divine Revelation Academy, Ayede Ekiti emerged as the winner of the Future Leaders Category and was crowned as Ambassador of the project.
The conference themed: “Voices of the Future: Leading Change, Inspiring Impact” brought together pupils and students from various primary and secondary schools across the state to engage in debates, leadership sessions and transformational dialogues designed to nurture self-discovery and civic responsibility.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the Founder and President of the Academy, David Olaoluwa Adebiyi, said the initiative goes beyond competition, placing emphasis instead on developing confident, purpose-driven young leaders.
“Most schools organise these days just for the sake of competition, but King David Leadership Academy is all about transformation helping kids understand who they are, discover their purpose and live it out.
“It’s not just a debate; it’s a conference that gives them a stage to find their voices, think critically and emerge as leaders”. He added
A Professor of Communication Studies, Adebola Adewunmi Aribigbe tasked the students to rise above failure, saying one-time downfall is not a determinant that should stop them from being world leaders.
Another highlight of the event was the launching 3 books by the founder, which was given out to the students as a seed into their journey and growth in leadership
