By: Olukayode Ogunyemi, Snr Programme Officer, Lagos YMCA, Nigeria
From 1-6 September, 2009, the Lagos YMCA, Nigeria, hosted a Summer Camp at Tarkwa Bay Island, Nigeria, for 20 children between the ages of 10 and 15. The theme of the camp was Youth Leadership Development and focussed on ‘….building strong and morally sound youth towards self-sustainability’.
The 14 male and 6 female campers came from different economic backgrounds and a few came from less privileged homes such as the Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative (SCCWI).
The guest speaker on the theme was a versatile volunteer and the Chairperson of the Membership Committee of Lagos YMCA, Olufemi Togan-Harrison. In emphasising the relevance of the theme of the camp, he explained, “the topic before us today…is very much relevant to enlighten our young people of the role and character expected of them in this troubled society.” He went further to define youth development as a process that prepares a young person to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood and to achieve his or her full potential. Youth Development is promoted through activities and experiences that help youth develop social, ethical, emotional, physical and cognitive competencies.
Mike Onilude, Programme Director of Central Club of Lagos and a member of the Board of Management of Lagos YMCA spoke to campers on ‘Youth Involvement and Participation in Leadership’.
The campers separated into groups to discuss issues raised by speakers at the camp. The reports on the group discussions were presented at the plenary session where campers resolved to be part of a more vocal youth voice; increase their civic engagement and own enlightenment on youth rights and inter-generational equity. The campers committed themselves to actively helping to bring about a positive change in our society.
In line with the Nigeria YMCA’s vision of “Building strong and morally sound youth towards self-sustainability”, the camp featured the skills education in commercial art. Deacon Deinde Gbenga, a dedicated volunteer and former Board member of Lagos YMCA taught campers traditional wool weaving skills, after which they were able to produce covers for tables, televisions and stereos. These acquired skills would empower the youth by giving them an opportunity to develop a livelihood as they grow into adulthood.
Other activities of the camp included morning exercise, devotions, seminars, group discussion, hiking, marine beach study, games, news broadcasting and beach activities.
Note:
Youth leadership is the practice of teens exercising authority over themselves and others. It has been elaborated upon as a theory of youth development in which young people gain skills and knowledge necessary to lead civic engagement, education reform and community organising activities. Youth leadership requires young people to acquire skills, knowledge and understanding, and values and attitudes, to develop the necessary abilities.
Youth participation is the active engagement of young people throughout their communities. Youth participation or youth involvement is used to examine the active engagement of young people in schools, sports, government, community development and economic activity.
