Vision 2020 2009 Summer Retreat, Lagos
The Vision 2020: Youth Empowerment & Restoration Initiative 3rd Summer Retreat was held from the 2nd – 8th August 2009. Thirty (30) of the brightest science, arts and commercial students from 7 private and 9 public secondary schools in Lagos and its environs were camped for one week at Dowen College, Lekki.
The vision 2020 team for the August 2009 summer retreat comprised of:
- Dr. Ibilola Amao – Project Consultant
- Mrs. Folasade Adeniji – Project Coordinator
- Miss Ranti Ademulegun – Project Officer
- Mr. Samuel Ogunsanya – Team Member
- Mr. Adeleke Adeoti – Team Member
- Miss Omolara Giwa – Team Member
- Mr. Oluwaseyi Babatunde – Team Member
- Mr. Femi Agossou – Team Member
- Mr. Ekundayo Isijola – Team Member
- Mr. Deola Agboola – Team Member
- Mr. Steven Oderayi – Team Member
- Miss Kemi Oyeleke – Team Member
Aside from the three best speakers (out of four expected) from the Schools Debate – The Lagos State Challenge, twenty-seven of the participating students were the best science, arts and commercial students out of 90 students based on their impressive and remarkable performance in the assessment conducted by Vision 2020. The science students were tested in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and English Language, while the arts and commercial students were tested in Mathematics, English Language, Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning. The successful 30 were comprised of 16 female and 14 male students.
The students were exposed to a talk session on the opportunities in the technical fields (especially in the Oil and Gas Industry) and in the Non-Technical fields. They were further exposed to presentations on the role of healthy living, Career talks by eminent and distinguished Nigerians in journalism, media communication and acting fields, HIV/AIDS awareness talk, etiquette and how to run a business. Talks on the importance of vision as the highway to success, the merits of volunteer and communal service and career guidance counseling were not left out.
A scheduled excursion to Mosimi Area Depot/Tank Farm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (Pipelines and Products Marketing Company) was included in the week’s itinerary and was also fun and educational for the children.
Copies of "The story of Oil and Gas", compiled and donated by Chevron Nigeria Plc, were distributed to the students; copies of Fela Durotoye’s motivational book titled "Secrets of high flying students" and scientific calculators were bought and issued to the students. They also saw video recordings of the 2008 summer retreat and excursion to Mosinmi Area Depot.
Adequate arrangements were made to make the students’ stay comfortable and enjoyable. Good accommodation and conducive study environment in the Dowen College Hostels and classrooms; wonderful meals provided by Pulley Wheels Restaurant; indoor activities - debate, drama, monopoly, chess, card games and outdoor activities - jogging, football and basketball were also a side attraction at the retreat.
The 1st day started with the students resuming camp from 12 noon. Registrations commenced and welcoming remarks were made by Mrs. Adeniji (The Project Coordinator) after which there was the introduction of the Vision 2020 team to the students. The children were allotted rooms and beds after which they had dinner, listened to an outline of scheduled camp activities, introduced themselves and retired to bed.
Rigorous classes were held from Monday through Friday on Physics (taught by Mr. Dayo Isijola); Commerce (taught by Mrs. Folasade Adeniji); Mathematics (taught by Mr. Samuel Ogunsanya); Biology (taught by Mr. Ekundayo of Apostolic Faith Secondary School); Chemistry (taught by Mrs. Idoko) and Literature (taught by Mrs. Adeniji) subjects after which tests were conducted to test the students on what had been taught with the exception of Wednesday when a visit was made to the Mosimi Area Depot.
There was a very interesting debate on the topic: "Is Nigeria’s position as a major oil-producing nation impacting positively on Nigerians?" There was also an exciting drama presented by the Red House members on the evils of Pipeline Vandalization.
The debate and drama presentations were made by the following students:
Debate
Opeodu Pascaline – Lagos City Senior College, Yaba (Argued For the Motion)
Obi Amarachi Precious – Oshodi Senior High School, Oshodi (Argued Against)
Drama (RED HOUSE)
Obi Amarachi Precious – Oshodi Senior High School, Oshodi
Abisogun Mujib Olamilekan – Community Senior High School, Wasimi, Maryland
Thomas Oreoluwa – Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba
Chetachi Anita Chisom – Oshodi Senior Secondary School
Dagogo Hart-Dagogo – Fountain Heights Secondary School, Surulere
Mobolaji Olarinre – Zinnia College, Ikeja
Toyo Oluwafunmilayo – Government Senior College, Agege
Mbaneme Chikelu Benjamin – High Achievers College, Ajegunle, Apapa
Parents were later given the opportunity to express their opinion about the Summer Retreat and advise the students. Finally, awards were given to the best students as listed below:
Overall Best Academic
1st Position – Adeyemi Adesola (Baptist Academy, Obanikoro)
2nd Position – Olarinre Mobolaji (Zinnia College, Ikeja)
3rd Position – Dagogo Hart-Dagogo (Fountain Heights Secondary School, Surulere)
Best Behaved Male
Alabi Nasir – Lagos City Senior College, Yaba
Best Behaved Female
Olomola Olayinka – Akute Community High School
The one week retreat was utilized to work with and help the students understand and better appreciate the importance of sound education; choosing a career that matches their interests; continuously working at improving their skills and being the best in their desired career and in life generally and also making them better leaders of tomorrow. It is evident from the students’ essays that they have bought into the vision of making Nigeria top 20 by the year 2020.
