2022 Session 2 Summary Report – Election of Team Leaders
- Itsekiri NextGen Project: 2022 Session 2 Summary Report – Election of Team Leaders
- Date: Saturday 22/01/2022
- Volunteers Present: 5
- Total Number of Attendees: 64
- Timings: 9am – 1pm
- Venue: Former Caravan 4, Aji Pessu, Warri
- Main Topic/Activity: Election of team leaders for the next 3 months (January – March)
- Resource Person: Emmanuel Fregene
Summary of the Session
This was the second session of the year and was mainly focused on the process of choosing the names, colour, and election of leaders of each team. This follows on from the division of the participants into various teams last week. The session involved presentation of a manifesto by 3 prospective leaders from each group. This was followed by the election process based on the manifestos presented. The four (4) different teams were later guided in the selection of the names and colour of their teams.
This session was designed to demonstrate to the participants the key qualities of and the process of electing responsible leaders. The selection process for the names of the groups followed the same process of selection of the “Uda” (“sword”) by the Olu of Warri. This was used as a means of teaching aspects of Itsekiri culture and heritage as it relates to the emergence of the various titles of the Olus of Warri to-date.
The last aspect of the session involves sharing books from our library to the participants in line with our literacy development plan for the participants and in preparation for our session on literacy next saturday.
Session Delivery
The session is divided into three (3) parts. It includes;
Presentation of manifestos by aspiring team leaders
The session started with a brief description of the meaning and purpose of an election, and the role of a good manifesto in the election of responsible leaders. The participants were also informed of their right to vote and to be voted for; each person having just one vote. This was quickly followed by each of the aspiring team leaders presenting their manifestos on why they should lead their respective teams.
Election of team leaders
As team one (1) took the lead to give their manifesto, the three candidates spoke convincingly after which the team came to a consensus on who should lead them. At the end, Mariam Aweni emerged as the leader. She emerges as the only female leader amongst the four elected team leaders.
The other groups followed in that sequence with Bisife Etuwewe, Success Tuedongheye and Jolomi emerged as the leaders of team two, three and four respectively. It was both pleasing and inspiring to witness as these Youngsters display unadulterated team and leadership spirits.
Mr Emmanuel Fregene leading the session
This aspect of the session was designed to demonstrate to the participants the different forms of leadership, and selection of leaders with vision and credibility. It also highlighted that in elections, there will always be winners and losers. While those who won were excited about being the leaders, those that lost learnt that losing an election doesn’t stop them from continuing to be leaders in other ways and contributing to their team. They were also made to understand that they can always contest when the next election comes up in 3 months time. This would help to build resilience in the participants which is a key attribute of leadership.
Selection of name and colour for teams
Prior to the session, it was agreed by the coordinating team and volunteers that each team will be named after the last four Olus of Warri. This was done by first introducing a video of how the current Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III chose his “Uda” (“sword”). The video highlighted how the then “Olu designate” was blindfolded and without any assistance chose the “Uda” of Atuwatse to emerge as Ogiame Atuwatse III.
A similar format was used to select from the names of the last four (4) Olus of Warri, the names of the various teams. Pictures of emblems corresponding to the “Udas” of the last four (4) Olus of Warri; Ginuwa II, Erejuwa II, Atuwatse II and Ikenwoli were assigned various numbers, and presented to the participants in a secret box to represent being blindfolded. The elected leaders of each team were asked to pick the numbers corresponding to the “Udas”. The name chosen by each team leader becomes the name for their team.
The same approach was followed for the selection of the colour of each team. Each team will be assigned some sets of responsibilities in support of the volunteers and project coordinator in every session during their tenure.
This part of the session was designed to help highlight aspects of our culture and heritage, and aligns with Itsekiri NextGen theme on “Social and cultural values”.
Other Key activities during the Session
With the development of literacy skills being a key component of the Itsekiri NextGen master plan, books were given out to each team which they will read and present key points and messages from what they have read to everyone at the next session. This has been designed to inspire the culture of, and love for reading.
