Power up and Shine

Late post 🤗

Be The Light Student's Summit 2023 Report.

Introduction:

The Be the Light Student's Summit 2023, themed "Power up and Shine," was a gathering for young change makers most especially Junior and Senior Secondary School students in Badagry, Lagos State Nigeria. The event was engaging, innovative, and educational for our 150 young participants, the speakers, and guests.

EVENT SUMMARY

Welcoming and Opening Remarks

Margaret Oyigeya, the convener, along with co-convener Michael F. Kolawole, greeted participants and speakers, introducing the Be the Light Initiatives as a platform for children and adolescents to nurture and employ their talents and skills toward significant goals as change-makers.

Drawing from their personal experiences, they motivated and encouraged participants to be a beacon, supporting one another with simple acts of charity and kindness that have a profound impact on illuminating individual darkness, families, environments, and contributing to global sustainable development.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Be the Light Student's Summit 2023. This summit is a testament to our commitment to empowering young minds and nurturing their potential to catalyze positive change" Margaret O.

"The Be the Light Initiative is dedicated to fostering a peaceful and supportive society by harnessing the talents and skills of our youth, actively contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" Michael K.

First Speaker Presentation.

Evang. Oyedeji H. Folashade, a teacher and counselor, delved extensively into the exploration of self-identification, environmental challenges, and strategies for overcoming them. She guided participants in understanding themselves by defining their physical, mental, and social aspects as individuals.

Her session concluded with a strong advocacy against drugs and cultism among young people, emphasizing the consequences and urging everyone to avoid them at all costs for a brighter future.

Evang. Oyedeji key messages on UNDERSTANDING ONESELF AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THAT HINDER EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SUCCESS:

• Your individual choices shape your identity and influence your approach to addressing environmental challenges.
• How you perceive your surroundings plays a crucial role in determining the extent and success of your life journey.
• Key environmental obstacles such as limited access to resources, family size, cultural background, and the social class of parents/guardians significantly impede the educational and social success of adolescents.
• Environmental challenges, often seen as distractions or shortcomings, can either positively or negatively impact your personal growth.
• These challenges are dynamic, evolving across generations.
• Overcoming these challenges requires recognizing them, making a firm decision to conquer them, and dedicating yourself to self-development for optimal outcomes.

Second Speaker Presentation

Mr. Peter Aloya, a life coach and founder, enlightened us on the gratification of volunteering as a young person.

He also connected volunteering to the sustainable development goals slated for achievement by 2030, underscoring the urgent need for young people to actively engage and collaborate to realize these goals within our communities.

Peter Aloya on VOLUNTEERISM: A KEY TOOL THAT AIDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

• Volunteerism contributes to community development, serving as a means of giving back to our immediate surroundings.
• Engaging in volunteer work brings about a sense of goodness, worthiness, and fulfillment, as it involves demonstrating kindness, making positive impacts, and acquiring new skills.
• It provides a meaningful way to spend time with family and loved ones, fostering the creation of new connections and networks.
• Opportunities for volunteering abound, whether at home, in school, church, hospitals, NGOs, or other organizations dedicated to making positive impacts.
• Volunteering in one's field of interest not only fosters personal development but also contributes to career growth.
• As a young person, engaging in volunteer activities not only aids in personal development but also garners respect from those around you. prioritize their mental health by scheduling work and rest periods daily.

Group Discussions

Our young participants actively participated in group discussions, exploring topics such as self-esteem, personal interests, challenges faced, and strategies to overcome barriers using provided discussion guide questions. They shared personal experiences and beliefs within their respective groups, fostering an environment where they learned to appreciate their individual worth. Each group representative presented their findings to the entire audience at the end of the discussion session, creating a truly engaging and insightful moment.

Health Talk by Nurse Adeola

Sunmonu Adeola, (RN), provided us with a brief health talk, empowering us with essential first aid skills to address bleeding emergencies. She shared a recent incident where a young boy tragically lost his life due to bleeding from a cut during an outing with friends.

Nurse Adeola emphasized the importance of first aid, demonstrating practical techniques to stop and manage bleeding before seeking professional medical assistance at a clinic or hospital.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Be The Light Student Summit was a resounding success. Our young volunteers and participants showcased their talents through special music and poetry presentations. Engaging questions were asked and answered, filling the room with laughter and joy.

A special thanks to Sikiru Mary for leading a valuable skills acquisition session, teaching our participant on how to make liquid soap and Izah. Each participant took home these products as souvenirs.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors, supporters, Holy Family Catholic Church Parish's priest Ajara, inspiring speakers, dedicated volunteers, and everyone who contributed to this event's success. Your generosity has sown seeds of greatness, nurturing our young minds into future change makers in our ever evolving world.

Thank you for being the light!

LinkedIn & Facebook: Be the Light Initiative

Instagram: @bethelightinitiative

Email: bethelightinitiative@gmail.com