LSUDS Programmes
Word War, Guard
& the Retreat.
Beyond LISTEN, LSUDS runs a full calendar of programmes that carry its spirit forward — competitive debate, ceremonial transition, and an annual retreat in communication mastery.
The internal proving ground
Word War — eight editions of sharpened minds.
Word War is LSUDS's internal debate and public speaking competition. Members research, argue, and present ideas persuasively under competitive conditions, sharpening critical thinking, diction, logic, and stage presence.
Each edition crowns a Word Lord — the overall best speaker — alongside a winning team made up of a Chief Speaker and Supporting Speaker.
8
Editions held
24
Titles awarded
1
Word Lord per edition
Edition I · 2017
Word Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Arts
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Social Sciences
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Science
Edition II · 2018
Word Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Law
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Education
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Management Sciences
Edition III · 2019
Word Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Arts
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Engineering
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Social Sciences
Edition IV · 2020
Word Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Science
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Law
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Arts
Edition V · 2021
Word Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Management Sciences
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Education
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Science
Edition VI · 2022
Word Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Arts
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Social Sciences
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Engineering
Edition VII · 2023
Word Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Law
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Science
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Arts
Edition VIII · 2024
LatestWord Lord
Word Lord Name
Faculty of Social Sciences
Chief Speaker
Chief Speaker Name
Faculty of Management Sciences
Supporting Speaker
Supporting Speaker Name
Faculty of Law
Transition · Poetry · Celebration
Change of Guard & Poetry Slam.
Change of Guard is LSUDS's formal handover ceremony — the moment one administration passes the baton to the next. Woven into the same night is a Poetry Slam: an electric evening of performance poetry where members and guests take the stage to speak, move, and electrify the room.
Four editions of the Poetry Slam have crowned a winner each.
Poetry Slam Champions
Poetry Slam Winner Name
Faculty of Arts
Edition I · 2021
Poetry Slam Winner Name
Faculty of Social Sciences
Edition II · 2022
Poetry Slam Winner Name
Faculty of Education
Edition III · 2023
Poetry Slam Winner Name
Faculty of Law
Edition IV · 2024
LatestTap Read more to see every champion by edition.
The annual leadership retreat
Orator's Retreat — an odyssey in communication.
The Orator's Retreat is an annual, multi-day public speaking and networking event hosted by LSUDS. It is designed to help students master communication, storytelling, and delivery through intensive practical drills and expert-led sessions.
Orator's Retreat 4.0, themed "Odyssey," was successfully held from November 19th to 23rd, 2025.
More on InstagramRetreat Editions
Theme TBA
Year TBA
Theme TBA
Year TBA
Theme TBA
Year TBA
Odyssey
November 19 to 23, 2025
Themes and dates for earlier editions will be added as records are confirmed.
Tap Read more to see every edition by year.
Street Debate · Raw · Unscripted
Call-Out
Call-Out is where the streets become the stage. An orator issues a public challenge to another orator, and they face off in debate, storytelling, speech, or poetry right where they stand. No formal venues, no curated programmes. Just two voices, an audience, and the raw power of words under pressure.
Some Call-Out winners
Call-Out Winner Name
Won a public debate challenge on campus
Call-Out Winner Name
Won a storytelling face-off in the open square
Call-Out Winner Name
Won a poetry call-out challenge
Call-Out Winner Name
Won a spontaneous speech duel
Call-Out happens spontaneously across campus. A handful of recent winners are on record, with more champions crowned every time a challenge is issued.
Want in?
Word War, Poetry Slam, Orator's Retreat, and Call-Out are open to every LASU student.
Follow LSUDS on social media or reach out directly to learn when the next edition is announced.