Kogi Corps Member Empowers 50 Students in Public Speaking, Donates Educational Materials
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Blessing Udo Amos (KG/24C/1374), has trained no fewer than 50 secondary school students in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on public speaking and communication skills as part of her Community Development Service (CDS) project.
The month-long initiative, tagged “The Future Forge,” was designed to build students’ self-esteem, enhance critical thinking, and improve their linguistic competence across selected schools in the state.
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Speaking during the grand finale of the project held at Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja, Blessing Amos said she initiated the programme to help young learners overcome challenges of self-expression and comprehension.
“The project was designed to create a safe space where students can grow in confidence and communication,” she said. “My goal was to strengthen their speaking and thinking abilities while helping them believe in their voices.”
Amos appreciated her sponsors and the NYSC for the opportunity to contribute to national development, saying the project had inspired her to continue making an impact in education and youth empowerment.
The Future Forge Project featured two major phases—a public speaking workshop and a spelling bee competition—both aimed at instilling confidence and promoting literacy among students.
Representing the NYSC Kogi State Coordinator, Mr. Femi Osungbohun, the Head of CDS, Comrade Abdulrazaq Aremu, commended Amos for what he described as a “socially impactful and life-changing initiative.”
“This project aligns with the vision of the NYSC to promote community service and youth development,” he said. “Blessing Amos has demonstrated excellence, innovation, and a strong sense of purpose. Her contribution is a reflection of what the NYSC stands for—nation-building through community impact.”
One of the project sponsors and Executive Director of Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Mrs. Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, described Amos as an “asset to the nation.”
“I am particularly proud of her and her Future Forge Project,” Agbogun said. “It shows she has a clear vision and is committed to shaping the next generation intellectually. For me, this is one of the best gifts anyone can give humanity helping young people find their voice.”
She further commended Amos for “catching them young” and preparing students for leadership and active participation in society.
Other partners who supported the initiative include Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation, Mind-The-Gap, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (Kogi Chapter), Ini-Technoid Solutions, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
In their goodwill messages, representatives of these organizations lauded the corps member’s vision to empower young minds intellectually, describing her gesture as “patriotic and transformative.” They urged other corps members to emulate her commitment to community service.
Four schools participated in the spelling bee contest, with GYB Model Science Secondary School emerging as the overall winner after scoring 120 points to defeat Al-Ansar Secondary School, which came second with 115 points. Other participants included Muslim Community Secondary School and Crowther Memorial College.
The winner, Kelvin Innocent of GYB Model Science Secondary School, expressed excitement over his school’s victory, describing the initiative as “a rewarding and inspiring experience.”
“I learned to believe in myself and communicate better. This programme has really changed how I see public speaking,” he said, while appreciating Corps Member Amos for her mentorship.
Prizes were awarded to the top schools, including school bags, English textbooks, exercise books, and mathematical sets. Over 40 copies of advanced learner’s dictionaries were also distributed to students who participated in the event.
The Future Forge Project, according to stakeholders, represents a timely intervention aimed at improving communication skills and self-confidence among young learners in Kogi State. Many described Amos’s initiative as a model for youth-led educational impact across Nigeria.
