Rivalry rekindled as Jaw War 2018 kick starts in the University of Ibadan

Jaw War 2018, University of Ibadan annual Inter-Hall/Inter-Faculty Debate Competition is set to go live today, Wednesday, September 26 and run through to November 7.

This year’s edition themed The Nigerian Dream, Thoughts and Actions — Celebrating UNIBADAN @70 would officially open the UI @ 70 celebrations.

While its preliminary, quarterfinal and semifinal rounds would hold at the University’s Faculty of the Social Sciences Large Lecture Theatre, the final showdown would take place in Trenchard Hall to flag off 70 years of existence of the University of Ibadan.

In the address made available to CAMPUS REPORTER, the Public Relation Officer of The Literary and Debating Society (TLDSUI), University of Ibadan, Mr Otito–Jesu Ayeni, expressed the Society’s level of preparedness for the competition.

He assured that adequate preparations have been made to use a good sound system throughout the competition.

Also, he gave his word on the readiness of the Judges whom he said would judge without partiality.

“We had a Judges’ conference and we can boldly say that they will judge without any bias,’ he said.

“For the venue,” he added, “we’re yet to get our desired venue but for a backup, we have secured the Faculty of Science Lakeside Lecture Theatre while we hope to get our desired venue.

“Also, we will be doing a live streaming during the event on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube so that those who cannot make it to the venue can follow us on those platforms.”

He went on to highlight the far-reaching publicity that has been put in place for the attendance of students from other schools.

Jaw War, he affirmed, will not be “witnessed by UITES alone as some students from OAU are really coming to witness the event. In other words, awareness has been all over within the University and beyond.”.

Jaw War is University of Ibadan’s biggest Inter–Faculty and InterHall public speaking contest. It is prided to have sustained continuous intellectual rivalry among these Halls and Faculties.

The history of the competition dates back to 2014. In its formative years, Tedder Hall scooped the much-coveted trophy back to back, beating Sultan Bello Hall on both occasions.

However, in 2016 Ransome Kuti Hall, against all odds, edged past the two–time champion to book a place with two–time finalists, Sultan Bello Hall. In the end, the latter bowed to the firepower of the former.

By 2017, a female Hall got to the final for the first time. But Alexandra Brown from UCH won the trophy in the final.

On the other hand, the Faculty category has had Faculties of Arts, The Social Sciences, Clinical Science and Public Health lift the trophy from 2014 to date.

Due to the mammoth crowd, the competition pulls and the intense competitiveness it stirs, among university of Ibadan students, it is often referred to as the biggest public speaking contest in West Africa by them.