Square College, Lagos, champions of the second Lagos Regional Finals, have defeated Pleroma International School, champions of Port Harcourt, in their round of 12 contest at the ongoing I Beg To Differ student debate tournament.
Their debate centred on the motion, "Nigeria must adopt genetically modified organisms to attain food sufficiency".
Arguing in support of the motion on Tuesday, Pleroma School's Temidara Akeju Wemimo and Michelle Oluchi Uzoma, noted that while insecurity, storage and poverty are the main reasons for food shortages, GMOs provide an option for constant planting to turn the situation around.
They noted that Nigeria is high on the hunger index, but the adoption of GMOs will guarantee that there is a sufficient buffer against the issues that food insecurity in the country cause.
Arguing against the motion, Square College’s Boluwatife Amoo and Oyinyechi Maduagwu said notes that GMO seeds are already commonplace in the country, with all their purported benefits, yet Nigeria still has a shortage of food.
Square College also noted how GMOs are patented, which makes it difficult for farmers to replant their seeds for fear of economic and legal consequences.
They emphasised stronger food security and safety systems instead of the adoption of modified seeds for food sufficiency.
Square, with their arguments, earned 73.5 points on the judges’ combined score, defeating Pleroma who earned 68.5 points.
The public vote also stamped Square College's victory, giving them 57 percent of the live votes.
The combined result gave Square College a 79.2 points to 72.8 points victory over their Port Harcourt counterparts.
The result moves Square College into the quarter finals, as the day to crown the champions of the tournament draws near.
Comments
Add a comment