Queens Hall vs Zik Hall: Do we break the jinx finally tonight?

The Genesis

The recurrence of a particular event, action or outcome may be termed “typical”, “ normal” and even “coincidence”. This may appropriately be as a result of recycling the same process, same energy and same calculations but, in the case of Nnamdi Azikwe Hall and Queen Elizabeth ll Hall at Jawwar, the case is different. For about three years in a row, Nnamdi Azikwe Hall has consistently shown up at Jawwar to fast track the elimination of Queen Elizabeth ll Hall. Talk about “Jinx’’, ‘spell’ and “voodoo”, this is the story of the Hall's persistent loss against Baluba kingdom. In an interview with the hall's current LDS president, one of the speakers who propelled the hall to the fore, she gave credence to her team members and every lady who was instrumental to the success at the podium. Speakers like Afolabi Simisola, Toluwani Adegboye, Ande Dooshima, Leshi Kehinde, Anita Babs, Owadayo Olabisi amongst others can rightly be regarded as the pioneers of this revolution. 

A travel down the memory lane

In a feature article published by Queen Elizabeth ll Hall Press during Jawwar 2024, Queen Elizabeth ll Hall LDS was praised for its drastic improvement in public speaking. In this last edition, there was a turnaround for Queens Hall LnD as they won against the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall LnD in the second leg of the first round; this advanced the Hall to the quarter-final of the competition. This victory isn't ordinary, because it is the first ever. The two Halls of residence do not just rival over public speaking. Political allegiance is another cause of rivalry between both, and most times, Queens Hall isn't on the winning side. The expeditious uprising of the Hall from a baby public speaking hall which could barely make the second round beat the never failing Baluba kingdom with just about a mark and few points. Critics clapped back at the narrow win clenched by the ladies but it didn't matter much; all that mattered was the win. 

The Culture of Jawwar

Jawwar is a public speaking event and debate competition organised by The Literary and Debating Society University of Ibadan. This event happens yearly, featuring the Hall category, Faculty category and National category where students from other schools in the country. In the last 5 years, UI’TLDS has hosted nothing less than 5 schools in Jawwar final rounds. Clearly, Jawwar is just not an event, but one of the biggest events in University of Ibadan. UI is an intellectual institution, and it is often said that the biggest event in the school is a public speaking event. How nerdy?! Well, that nerdy. Jawwar has been utilized as a training ground for UI public speakers to compete and speak on international stages. Speakers like Ugochukwu Chinkeke, Olanrewaju Oyedijo, Fabarebo Victor, Akinlawon Goodluck have treaded the path of public speaking at the international level and have won with great margins. This is one of the many leverages Jawwar has created for public speakers in UI.

To the Present

On the 13th of September 2025 in the University of Ibadan, students trooped in from classes, hostels into the NFLT at the Faculty of Technology to witness this year's edition of Jaw war: the largest speaking event in sub-Saharan Africa. This marked the first round of the Hall category, where some halls like Awo, Mellamby and ABH looked forward to a comeback, and others like Zik, Tedder wanted victory again. Recall that Tedder Hall won Jawwar 2024 as against Zik Hall which clenched the trophy in 2022. Needless to mention, Kuti Hall was no outsider to the power tussle. But there was our beloved hall, teaching others where to tread when we could barely tread the path of victory. On this day, Queen Elizabeth II Hall Literary and Debating Society, well represented at the competition, looked forward to shining a light for us all at the end of the tunnel but like the stories we told in the past, Zik Hall took another steal at the win with a margin so little. This is without regard to the breeding ground Queen Elizabeth ll Hall LDS has now become for upcoming speakers. No little wonder, a first time JawWar speaker featured in the first round and delivered excellently. Grateful for the chance to speak, the Queen-knights marched ahead in providence to slay the giants of Baluba and so, it did happen by an air's breath. It happened yet again. Speaking with Deborah Mamora, she noted the factors that fueled the improvement witnessed at Jawwar. In her words,

“...we ensured back to back trainings and gave as many people opportunities to prove themselves as we could” 

Deborah also revealed that Queens Hall suffered dearth of members in the past, as someone who has been a member since 100 level, she noted that the dearth was a major issue but with time, people began to show interest in the art of public speaking. According to her, 

“... I have been in the L&D since 100 level and I saw how things were which I was not satisfied with, especially the consistent loss against the Zikites, so one of the first few things I did upon becoming President was to ensure a proper structure and recruit massively. The L&D now has the largest number of members I've seen since my 100 level days this session.”

Clearly, it took a lot of effort, time, planning and structuring to bring the Halls LDS to the point at which it stands today and not “luck” as critics term it. Certainly, what the never forgiving and ever cheering crowd see is the final font, nobody exactly goes back to probe the background. However, the outcome is what matters the most and that outcome is what we get at the end of every debate round.

What will be?

Tonight and today, 30th of September is yet another opportunity to speak at Jawwar and against the age long enemy, Nnamdi Azikwe Hall. What will be, nobody knows but, in high hopes and ready spirit, the Queen-knights have once again marched up in providence against Zik hall. All is at a standstill as we wait at the juncture of the unknown. However, one thing is certain: Queen Elizabeth ll Hall is not where it was three years ago, the chorus has changed and the charge has increased.