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Setting tone for effective leadership at Corona’s Emerging Leaders Camp

By Editor
24 November 2016   |   2:06 am
The state of development of any nation cannot be solely measured using the availability of her natural resources as a yardstick; the human population and leadership ...
A cross section of pupils at the camp

A cross section of pupils at the camp

The state of development of any nation cannot be solely measured using the availability of her natural resources as a yardstick; the human population and leadership play a crucial role in the development of any country.

The quantity and the quality of human element coupled with the leadership factor is very much tied to its economic and political independence. Experience from developing, but densely populated countries of the world, most of which are found in Latin America and Africa, reveal beyond doubt that adequate population with abundant natural resources do not automatically translate into accelerated national development, but the quality of their leaders.

Some schools of thought hold the view that leaders are born, while some believe that good leaders are made. It is to this latter group that Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State belongs. If you have the desire and will power, you can become an effective leader. The school management holds the view that good leaders develop through a never-ending process of self-study, education, training and experience; and that individuals, irrespective of their age and level of education, should be made to know these things, as well as, and the qualities they must develop. Leadership education transforms the population into skilled, technically competent, cultured and disciplined people. Every organisation or country requires this for its growth, stability and survival.

It is against this backdrop and in demonstration of this belief that the management of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, at the weekend, organised a weekend leadership training programme titled, “Emerging Leaders Camp-Out.” It was targeted at the Primary Six pupils of all Corona Primary Schools.

The programme which kicked off on Saturday, October 29, 2016 witnessed an impressive turn-out of pupils from all branches of Corona primary schools: Apapa, Gbagada, Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island. The participating pupils, accompanied by their teachers, were ushered in by a team of camp coordinators.

After freshening up, the pupils were treated to a sumptuous and delicious meal in the school dining hall. An important highlight of the evening was the camp bonfire, which saw the pupils from various schools interact and get to know one another.

The Camp Commandant, Mr. Innocent Oaikhena, did not waste time in taking the participants through the Camp rules and regulations. The talent hunt at the bonfire was a most exciting feature of the first night.

The second day of the camp witnessed a plethora of activities ranging from religious services, ball passers, tug of war, talent hunt, music festival and blind retrieval. But what were the learning experiences of the pupil-participants for whom the programme was designed?

Olayinka Raheem, a primary six pupil Corona School, Apapa, said, “I had a wonderful experience.’’

If Olayinka’s experience was a wonderful one, the active participation in virtually all the programmes “… brought a lot of joy’’ to Aderolayo Olowodola of Corona School, Gbagada.

The lesson of trustworthiness and patience learnt through the activities and games would remain evergreen in the mind of Omeyimi Oboro and Tobiloba Alausa of Corona School, Lekki.

“The programme was well coordinated,” said Ehisomem Muoka, of Corona School, Ikoyi. For Mojola Akinwuntan “Time management, tolerance and team work” are some of the lessons learnt.

The Corona Secondary School’s Emerging Leaders Camp is unique in many respects. In the first place, all the content elements of a typical leadership education programme such as endurance, emotional intelligence, resilience, self-awareness, creativity, building self-confidence, communication skills, time management, the act and art of leadership, etc. were carefully embedded in the programme.

There is no better time to begin to develop nation builders.

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