Ibadan Boys High School has emerged as the overall winner of the maiden edition of the Twenty One Five Child Foundation (T1FF) Debate Competition held in Ibadan to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Boy Child.
The public speaking event, which took place at the IAUD Library, American Corner, Jericho, was organized by the Ibadan-based NGO, T1FF, as part of its efforts to spotlight the challenges facing the boy child and to promote education and empowerment among teenage boys.
The debate, which featured students from nine secondary schools across Ibadan, focused on the theme: “From Pressure to Purpose: Combating the Pressure of Social Pressure and Wealth Exhibition in Our Society.”
At the end of the keenly contested debate, Ibadan Boys High School took the first position, followed by Government College Ibadan in second place, and Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, in third.
Other participating schools included:
• Amao College, Akinyele (4th place)
• Tobi High School, Jericho (5th place)
• Moreth Comprehensive College (6th place)
• Seed of Life College (7th place)
• Qibla Group of Schools (8th place)
• Lagelu Grammar School (9th place)
The panel of judges evaluated participants based on content presentation, organization and structure, delivery, language use, punctuation, and time management.
Speaking at the event, the founder of T1FF, Ambassador Tolu Taiwo, emphasized the need to refocus societal attention on the boy child, noting a disturbing decline in male enrolment in schools.
“Today’s event underscores T1FF’s commitment to providing support, education, and empowerment to our teenagers, regardless of gender,” she said. “To create a balanced society, equal opportunities must be presented to both genders. We must avoid digging new pits to fill old ones.”
Ambassador Taiwo noted that during the foundation’s visit to the Oyo State Ministry of Education, officials confirmed a troubling drop in the enrolment of boys into schools in recent years. She warned that continued neglect of the boy child could result in further social consequences.
“Our boys are roaming the streets, sleeping under bridges, indulging in drugs, and contributing to rising insecurity. We must examine how society has failed them, and begin to provide the mentorship and opportunities they need,” she added.
Each of the top three winners received educational prizes. The first-place student received a laptop computer, school bag, and a trophy; the second-place student received a tablet device, school bag, and trophy; while the third-place student went home with a Bluetooth speaker, school bag, and a trophy, other participating schools when away with consolation prizes.
Ibadan Grammar School speaker,
Adenuga Emmanuel, expressed gratitude to the T1FF, saying the prizes won would help boost his academic pursuits.
Ambassador Taiwo concluded with a call to action for parents and guardians to be more patient and supportive of their sons, urging society to re-evaluate how success and pressure are defined for the male child.
“There are too many young boys out there who are homeless and directionless. We must act now to restore balance and hope,” she said.
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