Grace High School, Lagos, has edged Venocrest Schools, Eneka, Port Harcourt, in a closely fought Group A debate on Day Four of the I Beg To Differ Tournament of Champions.
The students debated the motion, “Peer Pressure Builds Stronger Individuals,” with Grace High School arguing in favour and Venocrest Schools opposing it.
Grace High School’s Karim Ireoluwa and Makun Fikayo argued that positive peer influence can motivate individuals, build discipline, strengthen resilience and help develop leadership qualities.
Ireoluwa said pressure from people around individuals can push them to discover abilities they may not have recognised, while Fikayo argued that peer pressure presents choices but character determines how people respond.
“Pressure presents the choices, but character makes the decision,” Fikayo said.
Venocrest Schools’ Clifford Maryjane Oluwatoyosi and Sarimiye Diane Tamarapreye challenged the motion, arguing that peer pressure can encourage substance abuse, risky behaviour, conformity and loss of personal identity.
Clifford said true strength comes from making independent and responsible decisions, even when those decisions go against the crowd.
The debate went down to the wire, with the three judges recording an overall 66.5-point tie.
The voting audience then gave 54% to 46%, helping Grace High School secure victory.
Grace High School finished with 71.9 points, compared with 71.1 points for Venocrest Schools , a difference of just 0.8 points.
The I Beg To Differ Tournament of Champions continues with more debates as participating schools battle for advancement in the competition.
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