Dignity Day 2009 – Nigeria
GLOBAL DIGNITY DAY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
On Tuesday 20th of October 2009, 45 secondary school students within the age bracket of 11-16 years old, all gathered in the recreational hall of Fountain Heights Secondary School in Lagos, Nigeria.
They had all gathered to learn about a course in dignity. The course started at 10.10a.m. prompt and lasted for an hour. I had two fellow colleagues representing Young Global Leaders (Ms. Mosun Layode- Executive Director, LEAP Africa and Mrs. Amy Oyekunle, Executive Director, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) and two guests (Mrs. Tosin Anibaba of FATE Foundation and Mr. Gbenga Sesan- Microsoft IT Ambassador) to assist me in addressing these students.
Fountain Heights School is a co-educational secondary school with high academic standards based in Lagos, Nigeria.
The YGLs shared their experiences with the students on how they have lived a dignified life and how that has helped shaped the success of their businesses.
This was then followed by an interactive session on the 5 principles of dignity, ABCs of dignity and the students gave examples and instances on how they can fulfil the principles and ABCs of dignity.
They also asked questions bordering on
- The ABCs of dignity
- How they can excel in their studies with dignity to become successful and respectable citizens
The students were all advised to act with dignity by showing respect not just for people, but for property as well. They were also made to understand that it was important that they imbibe the values that their parents teach them and be role models to other students. They were also encouraged to be focused and studious, in order to be successful and live dignified lives.
The session ended with the YGL leaders advising the students on how to apply what they learnt.
This session would not have been complete without expressing our gratitude to the Fountain Heights principal, Mrs. Delano, who gave us the platform to spread the awareness and importance of dignity day to her students.
Osayi Oruene,
Executive Director, FATE Foundation
YGL 2007
