DAY 6: CELEBRATING THE COURAGEOUS

Activate Youth Camp 2016

On day 6 of AYC 2016, campers had their routine early morning drilling before heading back to their hostels to prepare for other activities lined up for the day. At 8:30am breakfast was served and they ate their meals then assembled at the hall where they all took group photographs with their mentors.

The campers immediately went into their breakout sessions where they benefited from lots of inspirational and motivational tips from their facilitators who encouraged them not to be afraid when they fail or make certain mistakes as the word ‘FAIL’ only means First Attempt In Learning.

Motivational breakout session with Champ Ruth Goma 

‘You can choose courage or you can choose comfort. But you cannot have both’, one of the facilitators said also making a quote that ‘no one ever made a difference in this world without stepping foot outside their comfort zone first’ and ‘life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage’ (Anais Nin).

One must also be truthful with himself at all times as this is the best gift a person can give himself. This is in fact the very first ingredient of courage. At other classes some also discussed previous experiences in which they would have acted better and more courageously if they had benefitted from the kind of instruction they received at AYC 2016. They were instructed never to concentrate on their competitors but rather have their eyes fixed on the goal they have set out to achieve lest their concentration will be affected.

A quote by Seneca, ‘it is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult’ also served as a basis of reflection for the campers as they reflected on the theme – COURAGEOUS.

Graphics class with Olugbenga Ogunbowale

Following the breakout sessions, there were also classes for skill acquisition with the various experts guiding the campers on how to put certain skills into practice. This session was quite practical with the group of campers in Visual Branding/Graphics exhibiting what their facilitator had taught them about the use of Corel Draw software to design.

At the class for Hair Making, the campers were seen putting into practice what they had been taught on previous days with the guidance of their facilitator by weaving attachments with different styles and also taking time to learn how to tie gele (head tie).

Campers for Ankara Accessories learnt how to use Ankara material to make necklaces, bracelets and bags while their counterparts learning photography were taught how to handle a camera and take good pictures.

Abiodun Baiyewu-Teru on 'Journey of Guided Learning"

Later on at about 2:00pm, they had the privilege of listening to a great and courageous achiever in the person of Abiodun Baiyewu-Teru, who led them in a Journey of Guided Learning. She imbued confidence in the campers by telling them her own story of how being courageous made her overcome so many educational and professional challenges she has encountered; as well as taking her to various positions of influence which she has been privileged to occupy.

She encouraged them to be courageous and overcome their fears noting that ‘no one was born afraid’. ‘You must begin to believe a different story about yourself. If nobody tells you words of affirmation, you must speak to yourself. You must learn to respect you.

Campers also took part in various sporting activities before having their dinner courtesy Dangote Noodles who sponsored and prepared the meals. At the variety night which started immediately after dinner, some campers were awarded prizes for outstanding performance in the various sporting activities they participated in. From there on, it was celebration galore with the campers dancing in excitement to some great music from DJ Xpressit.

Dance! Dance!! Dance!!!