OLASHORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN ANOTHER LEAP...TRAINS STUDENTS ON LEADERSHIP SKILLS
“Great men are not born great, they grow great ''
-Maria Puzo, in the classic book, Godfather
*The Principal, Olashore International School, Mr Derek Smith/Chairman, Board of Governors, Olashore International School, Prince Abimbola Olashore
With
much commitment to raising leaders, which will fit into dynamic global
society in the 21st century, Olashore International School has taken up
leadership trainings for its students and has just concluded the grand
finale of its inaugural curriculum based student leadership training for
this academic year.
The
Social Change Project Presentation, which is part of the signature
leadership programme and anchored by a United States based consultant,
Mr John-Ubong Silas, was organized for Year 7 to Year 11 students. Each
group had to devise a service project addressing a societal issue, make
presentations, and a panel of esteemed judges would evaluate them based
on their presentations. The projects were assessed against the quality
of students’ research, and the sustainability of the project.
According
to the Principal Derek Smith, “In the rapidly changing and increasingly
complex global society that we live in, we believe that there is a need
to develop students with the mindset and capacity to lead and deal with
this change. This is something that we as a school, Olashore, have
taken on as one of our key responsibilities to our students.”
*Chairman, Board of Governors, Olashore International School, Prince Abimbola Olashore
Similarly,
the Chairman, Board of Directors, Prince Abimbola Olashore, reiterated
“The future of Africa nay the world depends on the connections made
between leaders at a young age and their ability to share ideas,
identify opportunities and build dynamic organizations. To achieve this,
children need to be given structured leadership training as early as
possible and the opportunities to apply the skills learnt. The School
was founded on the values of academic excellence, discipline and
leadership, and having recognized that change is a constant factor in
life, it strategized its education needs to encourage students
development of leadership skills to excel in a change oriented
environment. Leadership, which is embedded in the fabric of the school,
has remained one of the key qualities that make our graduates stand
out.”
Speaking
at the event, the Leadership and Social Responsibility Consultant from
the United States, Mr John-Ubong Silas, stated: “When I asked friends
about Olashore International School, three elements kept coming up:
Strong academics, well rounded students, and poised student leaders. The
School has a rich tradition of developing leaders and believes strongly
in the value of service to others and society. We live in a world of
constant change, challenges, and opportunities. Students learn the
Social Change Model Leadership Theory through lessons covering 7 key
dimensions which are Consciousness of Self, Congruence, Commitment,
Common Purpose, Controversy with Civility, Collaboration and
Citizenship. We are using a trainer to trainer approach. Through this
process, the plan is to have a completely embedded sustainable
leadership development programme at Olashore for all students within a 5
year timeline.”
*Leadership and Social Responsibility Consultant from the United States, Mr John-Ubong Silas
The
School has committed to raising leaders for the future. They prepare
the future leaders to explore their potentials so as to create
widespread change in the world. The School’s mission statement,
“Olashore International is a learning community committed to academic
excellence, nurturing each child to their full potential in a safe and
serene environment, developing leaders for the dynamic global society in
the 21st century.” captures the timeless values on which the school
was built whilst placing them in a 21st century context, and further
drives home their emphasis on leadership development.
Some students of the school testified to how the leadership program had helped them.
According
to a Year 7 student, Aduda Joshua, “I have learnt how to provide
solutions/answers to my problems. I have also learnt how to think about
others before myself, help others in need. I now know that the values we
have could be the same it just depends on how we rate them so I will
not judge other people by the things they do and accept them for who the
person is.”
*Year 11 Students presenting
Another
student from Year 9, Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, stated “I have really
learnt a lot from the Olashore Leadership programme. I have learnt about
the consciousness of self and congruence I have also learnt that you
have to be aware of the beliefs, values and motions that motivate one to
take action. I know now that happiness isn't just a feeling but when
what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.
Translating these values into leadership, I understand that being a
leader is not just about having power over people, but to exhibit the
qualities of honesty, intelligence, integrity, love for his followers,
fair play”.
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