A Nigerian, Benjamin Wayo, of Apo Hill Diamonds Toastmasters Club Abuja has made it to semifinal stage as he reached the world’s top 28, defeating thousands of contestants.
A statement made available to DAILY NIGERIAN stated that the semi-final slated for Tuesday,August 25 will have Mr Wayo tussling it out with other Region Champions.
According to the statement, this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the World Championship of Public Speaking will be live-streamed and available for viewing anywhere in the world.
“After emerging West and Central African Champion of Public speaking in May, Mr Wayo beat out contestants from Africa and the Middle East to emerge Region 11 Champion of Public Speaking.
“The top two contestants from the semifinals will proceed to the finals of the World Champion of Public Speaking, which will be held on Saturday 29 August.
“No African has ever been crowned World Champion of Public Speaking. For Wayo, the stakes are high.
“The Toastmasters International hosts the largest public speaking contest on the globe.
“Tens of thousands of people from over 100 countries compete for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.
“Toastmasters being a rigorous contest that began at the club level with an audience of around 25 people, difficulty and pressure escalate as winners move through each level, contesting before larger audiences at each stage. Finally, the field is whittled from around 40 thousand to 28 semifinalists,” the statement said.
The statement also described Mr Wayo as a vibrant speaker with a pulsating stage presence, which has the ability to evoke emotions from rib-cracking humour to soul-stirring melancholy.
Mr Wayo, on his part, said: “To be competing among the top 28 speakers in the World Championship of Public Speaking is simply humbling and completely exciting!”
