In commemoration of the 2024 Children’s Day, a Foundation, Wholistic Edu-Consult has equipped no fewer than 120 children and teenagers with skills on public speaking and attaining leadership positions.
The training held on Monday, was in partnership with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Youth Province one, Joseph’s Palace, Amuwo Odofin in FESTAC, Lagos.
Mrs Olubunmi Odiaka, Lead Trainer of Wholistic Edu-Consult, said that the training, which was offered free of charge, was geared toward investing lifetime skills into the lives of the children and teenagers.
Odiaka explained that a debate competition was organised for the participants from ages 13 to 17 and ages 18 to 23 to boost their confidence in public speaking.
She added that the winner of the debate got scholarship for masters class in public speaking skills, cash prizes, while all participants got a book written by Pastor Bisi Akande, the Provincial Pastor, with the title: ‘Raising Teenage Millionaires’.
Winners, organisers, teachers and judge at the training programme organised by Wholistic Edu-Consult in partnership with RCCG on Monday in Lagos.
The trainer said Akande, also a John Maxwell Certified Coach, wrote the book to empower the teenagers financially early in life.
She explained that the Edu-consult basically focused on bringing the domains of education that were customarily neglected in the education system to bear.
According to her, the partnership with the church is to balance the spiritual aspect of life with the cognitive, psychomotor and affective aspects.
“The children were given debate topics, such as: ‘Should Children Be Actively Involved In Decisions That Affect Their Career Choices?’, for ages 13 to 17 years, and were trained on how to present them.
“The children ascertained during the debate that parents should not force them in choosing a career of their own choice, but rather guide them into career choices.
“For ages 18 to 23, the teenagers spoke on: ‘Should Christians Be Actively Involved in Politics?’.
“This is to help them see reasons for them to be actively involved in the country’s politics to enable them know that politics is not a dirty game, and right the wrong in our society.
“The participants were exposed to the education world of where they can compete internationally or locally, and not just within their classrooms or the walls of the church alone,” she said.
In his remark, Akande said every attempt made at developing children was a step in leading the future.
The pastor said that children are described as the heritage of the Lord, hence, parents, guardians, teachers, and leaders have a responsibility to raise them to become champions of the society.
“In our world today, that is something lacking.
“So, this is our own way of showing up intentionally to bring up young men and women who lead well in their generation with values that make a difference and bring transformation to our world,”he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Tolu Famojuro, Provincial Youth Coordinator, Youth Province one, RCCG, said that the platform was created for the young minds to build their confidence and understand their line of thoughts, toward aligning it with the fundamental values of life.
Also, Mr Opeyemi Ashagba, a Minister of the church, said the programme was well organised and relevant with contemporary realities of training a child in the way of the Lord and also helping them build a career.
Ashagba said: “The topics addressed included topical issues that help stimulate and engage the minds positively.
“I advise our children to always hold to the word of God and allow it guide them in life and also embrace educative programmes of such”.
Mr Ramadan Oladipupo, Best Debating Student, Lagos State University (LASU), commended the organisers of the programme and expressed joy that public speaking culture was still thriving in the elementary school.
Oladipupo, also a Judge at the debate session, lauded the speeches and performances of the participants, while charging the students to engage more in speaking to improve their skills.
Mr Williams Raphael, winner of the debate competition, appreciated Wholistic Edu-Consult and the church for organising the programme.
He noted that it was a life changing experience that had helped to boost his confidence to speak better in public.(NAN)
