The International Award for Young People Nigeria (IAYPN), globally known as The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, continues to boost the capacity of young people and pupils through its four pillars – skill acquisition, voluntary service, physical recreation and adventure – to have impact on society. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.
The programme has impacted me positively. Before taking part, I found it difficult to speak in front of many people. Now, I can speak confidently and also teach a group of pupils. It has helped in sharpening my interactive, teaching and leadership skills.”
Those were the words of Hadiza Isah, a Senior Secondary School (SSS2) pupil of Apapa Senior High School, Apapa, Lagos, on how activities of The International Award for Young People Nigeria (IAYPN), also known as The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, have transformed her.
The award, which is in three levels – gold, silver and bronze – is a global non-formal education framework, which challenges young people to discover their potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world. Since 1956, millions of young people have taken part in the award in more than 130 countries and territories.
The award’s foundation drives and supports its global growth for young people to take part. In Nigeria, it operates under the name: “The International Award for Young People Nigeria”.
It was a show of verve and passion as the IAYPN had its Bronze Award Presentation recently across three government secondary schools in Lagos. The three-day event, which held in New Era Girls Senior Secondary School, Surulere, Girls Senior High School Agege, and Awori Ajeromi Senior Grammar School, Agboju Amuwo-Odofin, Agboju, attracted Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, bank chiefs, school administrators, pupils and others.
Youths performing great exploits
Over 800 pupils across the six education districts in the state were given bronze awards. The programme is a veritable platform for youths to become a better version of themselves and also perform great exploits.
Isah, the young SSS 2 pupil, is a classic example.
In an interview with The Nation, she noted that her voluntary service afforded her the opportunity to change the lives of homeless Almajirai children and adults, who could not read and write in the Waterside area of Apapa, Lagos.
“Through voluntary service, I engaged Almajirai children who could neither read nor write. The homeless children are between four and six. I approached their parents that I wanted to teach them. Initially, they were reluctant, but when I brought books, pens and pencils and refreshments, they cooperated.
“They were inspired because they had no school experience. My group and I started teaching them numbers before moving to alphabets and other aspects. We taught them for six months. They improved; they could read and write and also respond to questions and greetings in English. The reverse was the case before we engaged them.
“The experience was worthwhile for me. In my Gold level, I will like to continue with teaching them. The award activities also helped us to work in unity and build team spirit,” she said.
Isah, however, advised youths and other pupils to take part in the programme, describing it as life-changing.
Her teacher and leader of the team, Mr. Daniel Amuzie, stated that they were able to impact the Almajirai children despite the challenges they encountered.
“At times, when we get to where they stay, we don’t find them. They would have gone out to beg for alms. I had to encourage my pupils to get them books, pencils and refreshments. So, we were able to get their attention. At the end, they wanted us to continue. They said they had never experienced learning. Thus, in our Silver Level, we will continue with them,” he said.
Amuzie went on to praise the IAYPN for the opportunity to impact lives and contribute to societal growth.
He said: “I appreciate the IAYPN for the opportunity to impact lives. It would not have been possible without the platform.
“It has also changed the lives of participants (the pupils). It has developed their capacity to change the society.
“As a teacher, it has also enhanced my leadership capacity, and given me the ability to study my pupils closely and understand them better. It has also helped me to know that the society needs our contribution.”
The making of a drone expert
For lanky Opeyemi Matthew Olanrewaju, a SSS 2 pupil of State Senior High School, Alimosho, drone piloting has become a second nature, all thanks to the IAYPN. He has perfected the art to a professional level.
Recalling how he learnt about drone piloting, Olanrewaju said: “I got to know about drone piloting during a crusade in my church. Thus, I was eager to know what made it fly and other things related to it. I had also learnt videography and cinematography, which even made me more interested in drones because they are used in filming. I had four coaches in my church, who taught me how to pilot drones.
“The Global Airdrone Academy also came to teach us how to pilot drones in my school. We were also taught how to play Drone Soccer and partook in the first Drone Soccer Competition in Africa, which held in Agege.”
On the impact of the award activities, he noted that it had helped him to overcome procrastination, made him technology-compliant and enabled him to teach millions of people through his Facebook page.
His words: “The award activities have impacted me in all aspects. It has helped me to stop procrastinating. It also gave me the platform to teach millions of people through my inspirational messages on my Facebook Page. Through drone piloting, I am aware that we are now in a digital age and have to comply. I can now help people in my community and collaborate with my peers. The IAYPN has prepared me for the future. Kudos to the organisers.”
His teacher, Mrs. Abiola Adeagbo, who teaches Mathematics, said being approachable and accessible gave her pupils the edge in the award. She admitted that she never knew Olanrewaju would come out of his shell and perform beyond expectations.
“I was able to help my pupils, particularly Olanrewaju, because I gave them attention and I have a close relationship with them. My pupils too were passionate and I was able to guide them. I never thought Olanrewaju could perform; he has really changed. I thank the organisers for impacting pupils and teachers,” she said.
IAYPN is an eye-opener for pupils to be achievers
Adeagbo advised pupils and young people to take opportunities like the award activities seriously. She described IAYPN as an eye-opener for pupils to be achievers.
Otuenu Ovie, a pupil of Ojo Senior High School, was excited about the impact of the IAYPN on him. According to him, it has rekindled his zeal for domestic chores. Apart from that, he has developed a knack for long jump and has amazed his mother following the turnaround in his life.
Ovie’s words: “Every aspect of the award activities has impacted me. I can now write and compose songs. In physical recreation, I took first position in the zonal long jump competition at Ojo. At district level, I was a runner-up. Now, I am a living frog.
“I also helped elderly people with chores, for instance, our food vendor in the school. I assisted her with washing of plates. In fact, some pupils were not part of the programme, but I inspired them to join with my activities. My mother is still amazed at my sudden change.
“I urge other pupils to join and feel the joy I am feeling now. I thank my leaders and organisers.”
Ovie’s teacher and guide during the award activities, Mr. Andrew Aisagbonhi, a Biology teacher, said: “It was a nice and educating programme. The pupils learnt a lot and as you’ve heard from them. It was a life-changing experience. I’m glad because they have acquired skills that’ll make them self-sufficient even after they leave school. Some of them are in SSS3 and they won’t sit idle after school or even during university years.”
On his experience, the Biology teacher said: “It was quite challenging because dealing with pupils and adolescents could be demanding. You have to keep pushing them because they get discouraged easily. Managing time was also quite difficult. They wanted to give up at some point, but we were able to tell them to keep going.
“I would encourage every student to apply for this award and take it very seriously because it could change their life.”
‘Award impact huge; but cannot be monetised’
The impact of IAYPN cannot be quantified in monetary terms, its National Director, Oshoke Bello, said.
He noted that the programme has had tremendous impact on pupils and young people in terms of improved employability, environmental awareness, health, physical and mental well-being, among others.
He said: “The programme has a global appeal. It is celebrated in over 130 countries across the globe. The impact and value created cannot be monetised. You cannot place a monetary value on the impact and experiences that pupils get through the programme. It ensures that pupils and youths are prepared for the future.”
Bello said the award participants have been given the opportunity to acquire experiential learning, which is crucial to making them better individuals.
“Today’s young people are coming of age. There are many challenges they encounter, but this platform has provided a robust support for them to take part in experiential learning (schooling beyond the walls of the classroom) at different levels,” he said.
Bello said the programme had provided a platform for youths to perform exploits, noting that since 2014, over 39,000 youths from various parts of the country had been engaged and impacted with skills. He said it had extended to over 76 schools across the six education districts of Lagos.
“In the last one year, we have engaged over 1,700 young pupils as participants for the award. These participants have engaged themselves in activities beyond the classroom. We exposed them to learning in new level. They engaged themselves in voluntary service in their community and society,” he said.
He noted that the programme continues to help youths showcase their potential, resilience and team spirit. He added that it had made them responsible to society through voluntary services.
He urged awardees to see themselves as worthy ambassadors of the country. Bello said the organisers would ensure that every young person regardless of their background would be able to participate in the award, adding that the target is to reach over 100,000 pupils at the end of 2023.
He also said plans were underway to extend the award to Ogun, Bayelsa and other states.
Bello noted that the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had been approached for a partnership that would allow Corps members participate in the award to complement their service year.
‘You should be problem solvers’
Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, at the event, urged pupils to develop capacity to solve the myriad of problems hampering the progress of the nation, especially corruption.
Adefisayo hailed teachers for their efforts in shaping humanity and advised youths and pupils to deploy their innovative spirit to proffer solutions to the nation’s challenges.
“The life you are going to live requires skills. You should be creative and be problem-solvers. You will be problem-solvers because you are going to solve our problems: water problems, food, poverty, political apathy and corruption,” she said.
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Mr. Innocent Ike, who was represented by the bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Rasheed Bolarinwa, noted that the award activities presented a veritable platform for young people to become leaders and make impact.“Nigeria is confronted with leadership crisis and issues. This is a forum where leadership starts. Hence, we need to catch them (young people) young,” he said.
Participants said they were delighted they took part in the life-changing programme. They spoke of their desire to make it to the Gold Level.
