The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, known as the International Award for Young People Nigeria, was established to help youngsters succeed in life irrespective of their background.
One-time Lagos State Commissioner of Finance and a Trustee for the award, Mr Wale Edun, made this known at the practice expedition for over 1,300 participants at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja.
The participants, with ages between 14 and 24, were from public senior secondary schools under Lagos State Educational District (VI).
Edun said: “The award, set up in 1956 by HRH Prince Phillip, is the world’s leading youth achievement award available to all young people between the ages of 14 and 24 that brings together practical experiences and life skills to help equip young people to succeed in life notwithstanding their background, circumstances and abilities. The award is a solution to non-formal education and it represents a critical complement to classroom education.”
National Director of The International Award for Young People Nigeria Miss Toyin Odu said: “Our mission is to inspire, guide and support young people in their self-development and recognise their achievement while our balanced programs of activity develops the mind, body and soul.
“Apart from enriching their lives and boosting their qualifications, the award enrols them in a prestigious global alumni association.”
The Head of Operations, Joseph Bello said participants would undergo the four sections of the award – skill, service, physical recreation and expeditions.
He said: “All participants have to go through four sections. The volunteering section is to help them promote service to humanity and their communities.
“The skill section is to help promote both practical and social skills of personal interests to them; we also have the physical recreation which is to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and the expedition section where they practice, train and complete an adventurous journey. After they have completed these four sections, they earn either a bronze, silver or gold Award depending on the duration of their training,” he added.
An Education District VI official in charge of monitoring the camp programmes, Mr Farinloye advised the participants to apply all they have learnt in their lives.
“I really believe that with the way the participants were welcomed to camp, I am sure it will be a success. I will advise the students who are here today to go back home and apply all they have learnt here.
“The Education District is looking forward to receiving their proposals on leadership, skills acquisitions and the other things that made the camp lively and worthwhile.”
Mrs Nkeiruka Nneoma, a teacher from Isolo Comprehensive Senior High School, who came to supervise her wards, said education did not end in the classroom.
She said: “Education is not just about what we do in the classroom. The basic dimension of education includes mental, psychological and physical development and that is why a gathering like this is important.
“The students will not only acquire new skills but also learn proper social interaction. I am positive they will become shining beacons for the award in the future.”
Some of the participants shared their experience at the camp.
Odas Destiny, 18, from Isolo Comprehensive Senior High School, said: “It feels good to be in a place like this and I can say I am fully satisfied with all that happened in camp. I actively took part in sports, football to be precise and drama presentation. I also learnt to be a good leader as I was the leader of my group”.
Babatunde Goodness, 14, said: “It was great as I had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the social night and the endurance walk. I learnt that I have to always be active and sound in order to contribute meaningfully to the society. I also learnt that a good leader must have charisma for him to lead effectively”.
