The Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) recently conducted a two-week training programme for 43 students of Premiere Academy in Abuja. The programme aimed to prepare young people for responsible roles in society by developing their leadership capacity, discipline, resilience, teamwork, and sense of responsibility. The training featured lectures and practical sessions designed to equip the students with the skills needed to become future leaders.
The training programme, themed "Future-ready teen leaders: Building character, competence and capacity for effective leadership and responsible citizenship," covered various topics, including citizenship, leadership and responsibility, self-expression, values and character development, life skills, entrepreneurship, and the effects of drug and substance abuse. The students also participated in practical activities such as observation and scavenger hunt exercises, knotting, map work, an obstacle course, and gadget climbing.
The Director-General of CLTC, Rinsola Abiola, commended Premiere Academy for participating in the centre's newly introduced mobile training programme. Represented by the Director of Training, Ebiwari Elehibiri, Abiola urged the students to apply the lessons learnt during the training to their daily conduct and future leadership roles. She encouraged the students to wear their Citizenship Badges of Honour with pride and to reflect the values and lessons acquired during the training in their conduct and service to society.
The Principal of Premiere Academy, Chris Akinsowon, stated that the programme complemented the school's three operational pillars of being safe, strong, and set to lead. Akinsowon said the training reinforced the school's emphasis on character development alongside academic achievement. He added that the practical and physically demanding activities were aimed at building resilience, teamwork, and confidence among the students.
According to Akinsowon, the programme was designed to expose the students to a structured and disciplined environment, while helping them develop leadership qualities ahead of their transition from secondary school. The programme has replaced the traditional physical training exercises previously held at Shere Hills and the Apapa Sea School. At the end of the programme, 43 students who demonstrated good conduct during the training received Citizenship Badges of Honour, while all participants were presented with certificates.
The CLTC is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development that provides informal and experiential leadership and citizenship education through physical, mental, and outdoor activities. The centre also trains military and paramilitary personnel, with its programmes focused on discipline, leadership, resilience, strategic thinking, teamwork, and patriotism. The training programme is part of the centre's efforts to develop the leadership capacity of young people.
The Citizenship Badges of Honour serve as recognition of the students' discipline and achievement during the exercise. The programme aims to develop the leadership qualities of young people and prepare them for responsible roles in society. The CLTC's training programmes are designed to equip participants with the skills needed to become effective leaders and responsible citizens.
Key points
- The Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre trained 43 Premiere Academy students in leadership, citizenship, and character development.
- The programme aimed to develop the students' leadership capacity, discipline, resilience, teamwork, and sense of responsibility.
- The students received training in various topics, including citizenship, leadership and responsibility, self-expression, values and character development, life skills, entrepreneurship, and the effects of drug and substance abuse.
