The Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) has trained 43 students of Premiere Academy, Abuja, in leadership, citizenship and character development as part of efforts to prepare young people for responsible roles in society.

The two-week programme, themed: “Future-ready teen leaders: Building character, competence and capacity for effective leadership and responsible citizenship, featured lectures and practical sessions designed to develop the students’ leadership capacity, discipline, resilience, teamwork and sense of responsibility.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director-General, CLTC, Rinsola Abiola, represented by the Director of Training, Ebiwari Elehibiri, commended the school for participating in the centre’s newly introduced mobile training programme.

Abiola urged the students to apply the lessons learnt during the training to their daily conduct and future leadership roles.

She said, “I urge you to wear the badges with pride and, more importantly, to let the values and lessons acquired during the training reflect in your conduct, leadership, and service to society.”

The students received training in citizenship, leadership and responsibility, as well as self-expression, values and character development, life skills, entrepreneurship, and the effects of drug and substance abuse.

They also participated in practical activities, including observation and scavenger hunt exercises, knotting, map work, an obstacle course and gadget climbing.

The programme has replaced the traditional physical training exercises previously held at Shere Hills and the Apapa Sea School.

The Principal of Premiere Academy, Chris Akinsowon, said the programme complemented the school’s three operational pillars of being safe, strong and set to lead.

Akinsowon said the training reinforced the school’s emphasis on character development alongside academic achievement.

He added that the practical and physically demanding activities were aimed at building resilience, teamwork and confidence among the students.

Akinsowon said the programme was designed to expose the students to a structured and disciplined environment, while helping them develop leadership qualities ahead of their transition from secondary school.

At the end of the programme, 43 students who demonstrated good conduct during the training received Citizenship Badges of Honour, while all participants were presented with certificates.

Akinsowon said the badges served as recognition of the students’ discipline and achievement during the exercise.

The CLTC is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development that provides informal and experiential leadership and citizenship education through physical, mental and outdoor activities.

The centre also trains military and paramilitary personnel, with its programmes focused on discipline, leadership, resilience, strategic thinking, teamwork and patriotism.