The Tournament of Champions, I Beg to Differ Season 9 returned with an emotionally charged debate featuring two heavyweights in the tournament, Vetland Senior Grammar School Lagos and Laurels Model College Port Harcourt.
The debate on the subject, "Modernity Threatens Identity," saw Laurels Model College’s Ezeano Princess Amara and Daniella Kenneth Ohaeri argue that Modernity is a vehicle for the advancement of cultural identity.
They cited the technologically advanced nation of Japan and its deep cultural roots, as well as the resurgence of the famous "Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche" by Igbo Folktale singer Mike Ejeagha, brought back to the fore by a modern content creator, Brain Jotter, in 2024 using modern means as backing arguments.
Vetland Senior Grammar School’s Popoola Mary Oyinkansola and Olagaju Hephzibah Oluwajomiloju, argued against the motion, claiming that modernity has driven people away from their cultures towards more global procatices, citing the extinction of some languages in Plateau State, Nigeria, and around the world as causalties of this globalisation.
The debate was emotionally charged, with both sides delivering strong points and rebuttals as they aimed to sway the judges and audience votes in their favour.
The audience vote gave the win to Laurels Model College Port Harcourt, as 53 percent of them voted in favour of the Port Harcourt-based school's arguments.
This buttressed the judges initial assessment of their debate points, which earned Laurels 71 points and Vetland 69 points.
The result moves Laurels closer to Vetland at the top of Group B with six points, while possessing a better head to head record.
The adjudicators also praised both teams but cautioned the debaters against using examples and analogies that could unintentionally weaken their arguments.
They urged the students to remain clear about what their side of the debate is required to prove and to ensure that their proposed alternatives directly address the problems raised during the debate.
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