Ben Ezechime, Enugu
A group, Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), Enugu Pioneer Team, has launched Project Pinnacle to promote leadership development among Secondary School Students in Enugu.
CYFI, is a dynamic youth-based initiative of the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos that brings together Nigerian youth of exceptional vision, skills, and experience to design and implement projects that are having a positive impacts on Nigerian society.
Bobby Edeani, Dawn Kene-Okafor, Busaosowo Bisong, Caroline Musa and Daberechukwu Ogbuishi, were selected as the pioneer team for the Initiative in Enugu.
The team launched Project Pinnacle in Enugu State to respond to the challenges of the absence of a comprehensive mentorship programme for secondary school students.
The team said the training followed limited opportunities for personal development, uncertain career pathways, and fragmented community engagement among young people.
They stressed that pilot schools where the project was being implemented were Shalom Academy, New Layout Secondary School and Enugu State Smart School, Owo.
“During the first phase of the project, well-tailored classroom sessions were delivered covering topics like assertive communication, how to read and remember, inclusive leadership, self-awareness, career choices and ethics.
“So far, 350 students have benefited from the initiative and the Initiative is partnering with the Post-Primary School Management Board to deliver the project outcomes,” they said.
The team said the second phase of the project which would empower the beneficiaries to carry out community service projects would kick-off in June.
According to them, the community service projects will create an opportunity for the beneficiaries to take initiative and practice critical planning, decision-making, problem-solving and teamwork which is crucial for any leader.
“At the end of the second phase of the project,the team hopes to instill a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement in the beneficiaries, encouraging them to think beyond their own individual interests and consider how they can use their time and talents to better their communities.”
