From Grass to Grace: The Story of Sonia Ene Aduba

Fate has smiled on the Benue - born, 12 year old Sonia Ene Aduba, who led the Teenage Debate Team from Benue State that represented Nigeria in Jarkata, Indonesia recently and won the prestigious '2024 Nigeria-Indonesia Bilateral Debate' Completion. 

Sonia who hails from EdikwuG'icho in Apa local government area in Benue State had lost hope of completing her Secondary education after the demise of her father, Mr Boniface Aduba, an Academic staff with Community Secondary School Makurdi, few weeks before her departure for the international competition.

Until his death, Mr Boniface Aduba was always there for his daughter Sonia, making sure she excels in any competition. This was one of the factors that led to the excellent performance of Sonia and her team mates at the National Competition in Abuja 2023, that eventually qualified them for the International contest in Indonesia.

Sonia and her co-debaters Ogenyi Favour, Samuel Ochara and Ruth Suurshater stormed Indonesia on Sunday May 5, 2024 and participated in the competition from Monday, 6th-11th May, 2024 and won the International completion.

On arrival, the team was received on Monday, May 13, 2024, and hosted by the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia at Government House Makurdi.

During the reception, the Governor awarded Sonia and her team mates Scholarship, from their current classes till the completion of their First Degrees.

The Governor also made cash donation of N4m to each of the 4 kids that made Benue particularly and Nigeria generally proud.

Their coaches also received N3m cash for their efforts.

Apart from the cash donations, the Governor also donated 10 Laptops to each of schools of the kids.

Congratulations to all the Teenage Debaters!!

Congratulations to Sonia for making the family proud!!