Corporate communications executive, Gloria Babarinde, has launched The Gloria Babarinde Public Speaking Prize happening at Lighthouse events centre, Ikeja on 12th Nov, 2025.

The initiative is designed to equip secondary school students with the confidence and skill to articulate their ideas effectively, positioning communication as a critical tool for leadership.

The inspiration for the prize, according to Babarinde, is deeply personal, born from her own transformative journey with public speaking.

She revealed that the initiative was created to help brilliant young minds who struggle to express their ideas.

“The inspiration came from my own journey how learning to communicate confidently changed everything for me,” Babarinde stated. “I’ve met so many brilliant young people who have great ideas but struggle to express them clearly.

“The Public Speaking Prize was born to fix that to help students find their voice, own it, and use it as a tool for impact.

“Because communication is leadership. It’s how we connect, influence, and inspire.

“Every change begins with someone who could articulate a vision clearly enough for others to believe in it. Public speaking isn’t about sounding perfect it’s about sounding authentic.”

The competition will bring together 30 selected secondary schools from across Lagos for a one-day, fast-paced speaking challenge, culminating in three final winners.

Babarinde clarified that the judges will be looking for more than just eloquence. “It’s not about who speaks English the best it’s about who communicates with heart and impact,” she noted.

Beyond cash prizes and certificates, winners will gain access to a rich roster of mentors, including respected veterans like Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede and Oscar Oyinsan.

Babarinde sees this as a foundational step in youth empowerment.

“Leadership begins with voice. When a young person learns to think clearly, speak boldly, and listen deeply, they’re already on the path to leadership,” she affirmed.

Babarinde recalled an event where she connected with an audience by being authentic rather than perfect.

“It taught me that authenticity is more powerful than performance,” she shared. “That’s the heart of this prize helping young people understand that their voice doesn’t have to be flawless to be effective.”

Babarinde expressed ambitious plans for the initiative “to becoming a nationwide annual movement and eventually an African-wide platform that discovers, trains, and celebrates young communicators.”