In February 2024, Science Day Private Secondary School in Jos hosted a transformative one-day leadership training titled “Leadership Training: Becoming Change Makers.” The event was organised by Together for a New Africa (T4NA)-Nigeria and was a resounding success. With 30 enthusiastic participants, including 17 males and 13 females, the program was both engaging and impactful, equipping the students with essential leadership skills.
Over the course of two and a half hours, the participants were immersed in a series of leadership exercises, discussions, and interactive sessions. These activities were designed to cultivate a sense of responsibility and inspire the students to initiate positive change within their communities. The students were also awarded certificates of participation, and T4NA-Nigeria donated books on leadership and personal development. This gesture encouraged the young leaders to develop a habit of reading and continuous learning.
The school administration commended the program for its effectiveness in empowering students and igniting their passion for leadership and community service. The school expressed a strong desire for future engagements, highlighting their commitment to fostering leadership development among students.
Building on the success of the leadership training, T4NA-Nigeria is planning several future initiatives to further its impact. A community sanitation activity is scheduled, where the team and students will dedicate a day to cleaning up the surrounding community, including the small market near the school, fostering a community-focused approach to leadership. Additionally, T4NA-Nigeria is working to expand the leadership training program by engaging with other schools, having reached out to two institutions and awaiting their responses for potential future collaborations.
The leadership training was not just a milestone for the students in Jos but also a testament to T4NA-Nigeria’s commitment to empowering young leaders and inspiring positive societal transformation.
Advocacy for action on climate change
In addition to the leadership training, T4NA-Nigeria also embarked on an environmental project in Rijiyar Zaki Community of Ungogo LGA, Kano State, in Northwest Nigeria. This community, with a population of over 15 million, faces significant environmental challenges, including desertification, soil erosion, and other effects of climate change.
In response to these challenges and following the Kano State government’s policy to encourage tree planting as a measure to mitigate the effects of climate change, T4NA-Nigeria initiated a tree-planting project in February 2024. After thorough field investigations and consultations with community representatives, the T4NA Kano team planted 15 tree seedlings with the active participation of community members.
The project also served as an opportunity for sensitization on leadership, good governance, and the ideals of T4NA. The team’s efforts were supported by generous donations from local individuals, the community head, and T4NA-Nigeria, ensuring the successful execution of the project.
This initiative reflects T4NA-Nigeria’s dedication to not only nurturing future leaders but also to addressing pressing environmental issues and fostering sustainable development in local communities. Both the leadership training and the environmental project underscores T4NA-Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to making a lasting impact on society through education, leadership, and environmental stewardship.
