On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the Idriss Déby ITNO Auditorium of the University of Abomey-Calavi, the ECOWAS Representation in Benin organized a public speaking competition to commemorate the 49th anniversary of ECOWAS. The event was themed "Strengthening Regional Unity, Peace and Security" and aimed to foster community citizenship among young people through constructive analysis of ECOWAS's achievements and challenges.
The competition sought to stimulate interest in ECOWAS among students from Benin's public universities, promote intellectual analysis for better understanding regional issues and opportunities, and encourage innovative solutions to address ECOWAS's challenges. Five teams from four public universities participated: the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), the University of Parakou (UP), the National University of Agriculture (UNA), and the National University of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM).
The opening ceremony featured welcome remarks from Professor Hygin Kakai, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law at UAC, representing the Rector. Ambassador Amadou Diongue, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, also spoke, expressing his delight at the competition and congratulating the participating teams.
The competition included two rounds per team: improvised speeches and prepared speeches on challenges, issues, and programmatic vision for 2050. Teams from UAC secured first and third places, receiving trophies and book vouchers worth 500,000 CFA francs and 300,000 CFA francs respectively. The University of Parakou came second with a book voucher worth 400,000 CFA francs.
The prize-giving ceremony was attended by Ms. Nelly Kelome, Vice-Rector in charge of cooperation at UAC.
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