Going through the last phase of the debate was not easy, but then it was something I must not miss, even though I was losing by a clear margin.
In the school I finished from, I was the one they had chosen to go for a debate that was between the science students and the combined forces of the arts and commercial students. I was so vibrant, but then was unable to control my spoken English. I can talk, and even to the extent of speaking out of points.
When my class teacher was making the selection, I suggested Martin, who was the only boy who was outspoken. The remaining boys were nowhere to be found when it came to debate and facing the crowd. Talking about shyness, the boys were number one, and also a few of the girls. I was the only one singled out of the girls who could face crowds but lacked polished English.
Yogendra Singh
My class teacher objected to my suggestion, and the whole class shouted my name, “Abigail! Abigail!! Abigail!!!”. Their shout was so loud to the extent of bringing the other students to the scene. I opened up to them that I can stand out to speak in public, but my spoken English cannot outshine the science students. On the normal ground, the science students were the giants when it came to polished English.
All the students ignored my words and were still hailing my name just as if I were a queen among them.
My class teacher had to speak up. He said I would be the chief speaker while Martin would be the supporting speaker. I could not object to his words. I began to search for ways of getting points and facts just to defeat my opponent. Not only that, but I got enough points but was afraid of my spoken English. Likewise, I only said to myself, “Abi, you can do it.”.
We were to go for two rounds, after which the result will be announced. D-Day arrived, and everyone had settled in the hall, waiting for the arrival of guests. Our parents were invited to witness the debate. This means everyone has to try extra just to show their parents how good they are.
If I can remember vividly, the topic of the debate was “Nigeria is the giant of Africa.” The science students were to speak for the topic, while the arts and commercial students were to speak against it. To me, the topic only goes in the favor of the science students, as it is true that Nigeria is the giant of Africa. I did some research with some concrete facts about my findings.
Everyone got prepared, and we started. The one representing the science class started as he was called first. He spoke so eloquently that the whole class as well as the parents clapped profusely for him. This boy was our senior prefect boy and was supported by the senior perfect girl.
I came on stage and started speaking against the topic. When I was done, a few students and parents clapped for me. I was somehow dejected and deeply regretted accepting to be the chief speaker.
The supporters came up, and my supporters were even the worst. The commercial and the art students were the ones who clapped for Martin, but the entire crowd yet again clapped so hard for the science students supporters.
In the second round, the senior prefect boy came out again and spoke just a little, as he had already exhausted his points. This was what I guessed, but I was still having my best points yet to be released. It was a tactic I devised when I watched a debating video online. The one who was reserving his best points turned out to be the winner.
So, I jumped out to speak. I started by asking my opponent just one question: “Does Nigeria have a refinery?”
They all echoed, “No.” This gave me an edge over them. I told them about two countries that are doing great with their crude oil. I told them how those countries got their refineries and how they were operating them over the years. Thereafter, I have another point just to justify the points I had given in the first round. Although I was being careful about the kind of English I was releasing. I never made any mistakes in terms of my spoken English.
When I was done, the whole crowd was silent for some moment, after which it was scattered with calls and hails from different angles. I was able to turn the table in our favor.
The results were compiled, and finally, the science students were shocked by what was announced. We defeat them hands down and with a clear margin. The first round was in their favor, but the second round was not just good for the science students, as I was able to prove to the crowd that.
My points were perfect.
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