In fulfillment of her civic engagement activity, Omobolanle Ayo-Alake successfully organized a Sensitization and Leadership Programme on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, featuring a school debate at The Royal Spry College . The event saw the participation of 80 students—31 males and 49 females—who engaged in discussions on critical issues.
Core Objectives
The primary goals of the programme were to foster critical thinking, encourage civic engagement, promote political participation, develop leadership skills, and cultivate a sense of patriotism among students. These objectives aimed to empower the young participants to become more active citizens and leaders in their communities.
Key Outcomes
The debate proved to be highly impactful, building the confidence of the students and revealing hidden talents. Many shy students, who had previously never debated, overcame their fears and spoke eloquently in front of their peers. Notably, some students who participated in the debate later contested for prefect positions in the school, delivering their manifestos with newfound confidence and receiving favourable votes. This shift in self-assurance allowed the school management to make better, more informed decisions regarding prefect appointments for the upcoming academic year, particularly for students previously perceived as shy or less active.
Four representatives from the Rotaract Club, a partnering organization, supported the programme, including a skill acquisition facilitator and two executive members. The school’s director, along with three other staff members, attended the event, ensuring strong institutional support and engagement throughout.
Lessons Learnt
The programme reinforced the value of civic engagement and its ability to make meaningful, lasting impacts on participants. Omobolanle also gained valuable experience in organizing and managing civic activities, as well as working closely with educational institutions and partner organizations.
Unintended Outcome
While the programme was scheduled to begin at 10 AM, a delay occurred due to the school’s ongoing senior prefect elections, followed by technical difficulties involving the Public Address System. Despite these setbacks, the programme proceeded without further issues, and adjustments were made to save time and ensure the event’s success.
Way Forward/Recommendations
Future initiatives should continue to prioritize partnerships and collaborations, as they provide valuable resources and expertise. Funding support is also essential to ensure smooth logistics and to encourage the convener to organize similar impactful events. Additionally, school debates on national and developmental topics should be held regularly to foster critical thinking, patriotism, and leadership skills in students across all groups.
Follow-up
The success of the programme inspired the school to propose a follow-up debate session for the following Monday. During this session, the participants and top-performing speakers will be rewarded for their efforts. Omobolanle has been invited to attend and witness this extended event, further deepening her engagement with the school and the students involved.
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