The 2021 Leadership and Community Development Programme for students was held across the 5 Local Government Areas – Abi, Yakurr, Biase, Akamkpa1 and Akamkpa2, where we are currently implementing the programme this year. The host schools included; Community secondary school, Itigidi, Community secondary school, Ugep, Akpet Comprehensive secondary school, Akpet central, Government secondary school, Akamkpa and Community grammar school, Oban.
The Leadership and Community Development (LCD) Programme support students in public secondary schools in rural communities, with essential academic, leadership and life skills required to cope with life’s challenges and become agents of community development. It also equips these students with the right qualities to be effective promoters of good leadership and community service.
The 2021 students’ workshop had a total of 467 students in attendance with 60% attendance for males and 40% for females. The modules taught to the students include Leadership & Values, Self-Awareness & Self-Esteem, Goal Setting, Visioning & Self-Discovery.
Facilitators for the students’ workshop were corp members and teachers who have been earlier trained to facilitate the modules and monitor the learning process in their respective schools and LGAs, while Jadesola Phebian and Joshua Ogar, the programmes coordinator facilitated as well.
The highlight of events at each LGA and host schools included: 99% of the students who affirmed that they have learned something new, students expressed satisfaction that their expectations for the programme have been met while also explaining that they have been inspired to solve or be involved in tackling some key challenges affecting development as they have identified in their communities.
In their own words, a student in Akamkpa2 said “I have set an immediate goal to collaborate with others to identify and solve community challenges as a TEAM,” another student in Yakurr remarked that “the lessons on self-esteem has helped me to gain confidence and is shaping me to be bold enough to become an influential young leader” another student in Biase mentioned that “I have never seen any organization focused on young people like the Bridge, now I have hope that I can become someone whom the next generation depends on”.
Generally, the programme objectives were met. We appreciate our volunteers (teachers and corp members) and the students for making the event a successful and remarkable one. We also use this medium to thank other stakeholders; NYSC Cross River State Secretariat, Cross River State Ministry of Education and our distinguished board members for their support.
