This is a very important aspect of the initiative which brings student in contact with the sponsor as well as other professionals in other fields of endeavor. The students get to learn while equipping themselves with the necessary skills for growth in life through the different speakers for these sessions.
The 1st Mentorship programme was at PwC Nigeria office at Ground Junction Hall, Land Mark Towers, Victoria Island Lagos. PwC staff were on ground to talk to the students on Digital Technology, Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education.
The PwC Chess4Change Mentorship Programme kicked off with a brief welcome remark by Sylva Ifedigbo – Senior Manager, Clients and Market Development, PwC Nigeria. He welcomed the participating schools to PwC Nigeria Head office and reiterated the organization’s commitment to the chess4change initiative. He further highlighted the importance of the Mentorship programme in equipping students with skills require for life and career. He urged the students to seize the opportunity the programme provides them.
There were two (2) sessions with Benjamin Ozimhede Enekhai speaking on the topic; “Digital Technology and its effect in today’s Learning.” At the first session. He highlighted what digital learning is, categories, examples, as well as pros and cons of digital learning.
The second session had Oluwaseun Opeyemi who spoke on “Entrepreneurship and Vocational Education; Its benefit to students in career development.” She differentiated between an entrepreneur and vocation, as well as highlighting key success factors for an entrepreneur.
HIGHLIGHT
DEBATE COMPETITION: This was the highlight of the event as schools were picked in draw to represent their respective Education districts. Education District II was paired against Education District III while Education District iv was paired against Education District VI. The topics for the debate session were;
- “Is Digital Technology Making Students Better?”
- “Vocational Education is Better than Formal Education.”
Below are the results from the debate session;
| TOPIC | Is Digital Technology Making Students Better? | |
| MOTION FOR DEBATE | FOR | AGAINST |
| DISTRICT | IV | VI |
| `CHIEF SPEAKER | OKEKE GREGORY
LAGOS CITY COLLEGE, SABO YABA |
GANIYU ABDULAHI GBOLAHAN
IKEJA JUNIOR COLLEGE, BOLADE OSHODI |
| SUPPORT SPEAKER | UZOR FAVOUR
SARI IGANMU SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, ORILE |
OZURUMBA ULOMA CHRISTABEL
UNITY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, OSHODI |
| RESULT/SCORE | 63.75% | 72.18% |
| TOPIC | Vocational Education is Better than Formal Education. | |
| MOTION FOR DEBATE | FOR | AGAINST |
| DISTRICT | II | III |
| CHIEF SPEAKER | ABOLAJI MUFEEDAT
EVA ADELAJA GIRLS SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL |
ADEGUNLE OLUWATIMILEHIN
GOVERNMENT SENIOR COLLEGE, MAROKO |
| SUPPORT SPEAKER | SHEKONI TAIWO
IMMACULATE COMPREHENSIVE SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL |
MOMOH AISHA
IRETI SENIOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL, FALOMO IKOYI |
| RESULT/SCORE | 70.3% | 61.25% |
Participants were given cash prizes for their efforts. These prizes were aimed at encouraging and motivating the students to continue their academic pursuits with enthusiasm.
In addition to the debate sessions, the participating schools had a Chess Mini Competition. The mini challenge provided participating students opportunity to showcase their strategic thinking and analytical skills in a competitive environment. The top three (3) schools at the end of chess mini challenge were;
- Ireti Senior Grammar School, Falomo Ikoyi
- Lagos City College, Sabo Yaba
- Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Sabo Yaba
The students benefitted greatly from the guidance and support provided by the mentors.
Fela is the Co-founder of MediaVision Limited .
