Students receive cash grant on Children’s Day

What an awesome event the ACE 4.0 Project: Career Conference (CC) @ FGCO turned out to be!

“If you are seen as successful in public but not seen as successful at home, then you are a failure!” Those were the words of Pastor (Mrs.) Funmilayo Adesegun, wife of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State as she addressed students at Federal Government College Odogbolu to be “Inspired to Excel” on Friday May 24, 2013.

Under the auspices of the ACE 4.0 Project, the Organising Committee made up of alumni members put together this year’s Children Career Conference with the theme, “Inspired to Excel”. The conference, which hosted 400 participants from Federal Government College Odogbolu and neighbouring schools, addressed the issue of career choice and taught children how to build a career while ensuring that the standard of excellence is adhered to.

According to the conference convener and project director of Cares Global Network (CGN), Omolola Omoteso Famuyiwa, Children are Nigeria’s future so it is pertinent to ensure that their minds are inspired to take on the task ahead. In her spirited welcome speech after sharing the story of the fern and the bamboo, she said, “If we believe in your ability to excel, then you should never give up on yourself. Your life is not a mistake, neither was it an option, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your birth or the challenges you may be facing now. Your life is an opportunity, one that must be explored to the best of your God-given ability”.

Pastor (Mrs.) Adesegun who gave the keynote address spoke to the children as a mother, mentor, minister and model. She used personal stories to encourage the students to ask questions, remain diligent, imbibe honourable values and take to heart the knowledge being imparted by parents, teachers and mentors. The charge by the Deputy Governor’s Wife to 10 indigent students who received cash awards of N10, 000 each was quite emotional; she challenged them to look beyond the present circumstances of their parents or guardians, and trust God as they seek to chart a path of excellence in their chosen careers. True to her calling as a pastor, she prayed for all the participants.

In addition to papers presented, the students ate, enjoyed performances by the school band, choir, cultural groups and Dance Hut Dance Company, received souvenirs from Cares Global Network, UAC Foods and the Deputy Governor’s Wife and were treated to a special rendition of the school song and dance by the FGCO 8490 Group.

This year’s Children’s Day commemoration was sponsored by the Federal Government College Odogbolu 1984 to 1990 set (FGCO 8490 Group) to which Mrs. Omoteso belongs. Support was also received from the school, the alumni body, UAC Foods and Laredo Small Chops.

The line up of speakers include Chief (Mrs.) Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (Fellow, SONTA) whose speech via the telephone drew a roaring applause, Mr. Rotimi Akinlesi, Deputy Director of OGADEP, Mrs. Abimbola Bello-Oloko of LTV 8, Mrs. Amaka Umeano of Oratorz Koncept and Mr. Vincent Abulu, President FGCO Alumni.

The speakers and other professionals from different fields gave their all as they motivated and equipped the children with information to enable them make informed choices on different chosen careers. The children had an opportunity to ask questions and receive counsel during and after the event. As the event drew to a close, Mrs. Adesegun, the special guest of honour, showed that dancing is not only for the young ones as she elegantly swayed to the closing song by the cultural group.

We must specially thank immensely the ACE 4.0 Career Committee and all FGCO 8490 Members for the success of the programme Conference and look forward to more collaborative efforts in the future. We pray God sends you help from all corners of the globe. May God never leave you without support!

The ACE 4.0 Project, which was initiated as a way to give back to the society by Omolola in celebration of 40 years of God’s love and faithfulness was brought to a close with a concert that took place on May 27, 2013 in Lagos. 

  

ABOUT THE CONVENER

Omolola Omoteso Famuyiwa, a media specialist, public relations consultant and author, began her media career with DBN Television in 2000 following which she worked at a number of media houses including Super Screen Television where she was Head, Programmes and LTV 8 where she anchored, “Education TV” as an independent presenter. Known for her media advocacy for children and mentoring of young people, Omolola founded Cares Global Network and launched the organisation’s magazine for young people - Willows Magazine - in 2004.  Omolola has been involved in many charity projects including Just One Book through which books were collected for inmates at the Girls Remand Home, Mushin, Project Favour through which fund was raised for “Favour”, a boy who had hole in his heart and My World, a media workshop through which secondary school students were trained to produce documentaries that were exchanged with high school students of Shepshed High School in Leicestershire, UK. Programmes under the ACE 4.0 Project include cash awards to 40 Nigerians, career conference, summit for 400 mature singles and empowerment training for 8 organisations of which beneficiaries include staff of Laredo Ventures, members of Widows And Development Support Services, members of Ikere Ekiti Youth Coalition and members of Treasure Youth Leadership Academy. The Children’s Career Conference is in its 3^rd year with the first and second taking place in Lagos and Oyo State respectively. Those she has mentored include: Adeleke Aladekoba (Art Director), Dayo Israel (Special Assistant, National Assembly), Isabella Ibiam (Educator) and Monininuade Sonde (Lawyer).