REPORT: DAYS OF CHANGE GRAND FINALE

On Saturday, 9^th of August, 2014, Oxbridge Tutorial College came alive with the energy, sights and sounds of young inspiring teenagers. UVA presented the Grand Finale of its maiden Days Of Change online campaign to no less than 150 amazed attendants. Femi Falana was among the people to come out to show support and encouragement to teenage change-makers.

UVA Days of Change campaign which ran from 2^nd to the 8^th of August, 2014 is an annual teen centered campaign. The campaign aims to create a platform for engaging Nigerian teenagers by challenging them with daily tasks which educate and empower them. The essence is to make them brace up in thinking, so that they can assume leadership responsibility, as well as, acting as role models for other teens out there..

The program kicked off with an opening prayer by UVA ambassador, Ada Durueke, which was then followed by the singing of the National anthem by Adamu Nnoro. Mubarak Adetunji set the tone for the rest of the event with an energetic welcome address by saying that “We, as conscious, inspired and energetic teenagers are leaders and change makers of today”.  

A keynote speech was given by active UVA ambassador David Lewis. He put his composure and maturity on display for the impressed audience. In his speech he expressed the importance of this campaign “The change Nigeria needs cannot come in seven days because too many people have made the wrong choices when given the spotlight but the experience we teenagers need to feel, the words we need to hear to make the right choices when giving the spotlight can come in less than seven days”.

Next up was an insightful talk show centered on drawing from the experiences of four diverse Nigerian teenagers during the Days Of Change one week campaign. The teenagers comprised of UVA ambassadors, Mubarak Adeniji, Ada Durueke, David lewis and a participant all the way from Kaduna, Asmau Aremu. Christopher Morris, who hosted the talk show sort to tease out reasons why these four teenagers decided to partake in the Days Of Change campaign.

UVA Executive Director, Chizoba Imoka gave a short address on the needs for the Days Of Change campaign and why it is needed to go beyond the 7 days and become a lifestyle and habit. In light of this, she called on to all teenagers to join her in making a pledge to always seek to be a positive change-maker wherever they find themselves. The song “The Future” by TY Bello was used as the pledge. It was a touching and inspiring sight listening and watching teens of different backgrounds committing themselves to creating positive change in Nigeria.

The event was spiced up with several performances from teenagers and guest artistes as well. Mubarak and Tosin pleased the audience with upbeat tunes of the hit songs “Joromi” and “Sorere”. T-Banks wowed the audience with the performance of thier hit song “We are champions”. Charles gave the audience something to laugh about with his comedic act. Bolaji Sax capped off the event with a wonderful roof raising saxophone performance.

The event rounded off with the prize and award giving by Jane Ugboh and Mathew Onyeka. Four teenagers were awarding for the outstanding and creative participation over the course of the campaign. The teenagers, Ayomide Abagun, Sharon Okolie, Adeniji Hannah Busayo and Mubarak Adetunji were all granted an award of N20, 000 in scholarship. Certificates were also handed out to four schools for their incredible support to the foundation: Corona Secondary School, Muritala Muhammed Airport Secondary School, St. Joseph Secondary School and Yaba Technical Secondary School. After this, there were wares such as beads, clothes and bags on sale for our wonderful attendants.

It was an incredible, fun and energetic day which encouraged the belief that the teenagers are the Youths of today. A big shout out to our sponsors, the participants of the Days Of Change campaign, the UVA team and all the people who came out to support our cause on Saturday