The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has challenged corps members to replicate what they have enjoyed in terms of mentoring to secondary school students after they exit the orientation camp.
The State Coordinator threw this challenge in her opening remarks during the Mind the Gap Inter-Platoon Debate competition for the 2023 Batch 'C' (Stream 1) corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
Speaking on the topic: 'Mentoring Secondary School Leavers in your host community- A call to Leadership', Mrs. Ani said that they possess the quality and academic qualifications to influence the students positively.
"I wish to restate that NYSC has prepared you for mentoring tasks and has given you opportunity through this kind of programme to showcase your ability and resourcefulness in terms of application and delivery. The participatory approach we adopt in NYSC will assist you to deliver on the assignment successfully".
She charged the participants to brace up and surmount challenges associated with debates, such as fearfulness, lack of organisational ability, stage fright, incoherence, diction and other factors which are psychological in nature.
"No one is a professional public speaker when it comes to participating in debate programmes, all you need do is gather your acts together and marshal your points in a manner that attracts accolades rather than condemnation. Those you see as role models and mentors overcame those challenges and yours may not be an exception. Try as much as possible to contribute to knowledge and not impress the audience with highfalutin grammar" she advised.
The programme attracted large number of camp community because of its academic value. It further dissected challenges of mentoring such as meeting as scheduled, excessive amount of time consumed and energy commitment, unfair manipulation on the part of mentor/mentee, resentment or jealousy from others and ineffective mentoring pairs.
"One of the most common challenges is getting the right number of mentors to participate in the programme. While that challenge is important, the quality of mentors is just as important. Low-quality mentors are not involved to help their mentee succeed and will be less effective and less engaged".
The NYSC Ondo State boss mentioned barriers to effective mentoring to include gaps in communication on shared goals, undefined or wrongly perceived roles, limited communication channels for feedback, and the inability to establish psychological safety under the development of effective mentoring relationship.
The energy draining intellectual exercise saw number 8 platoon clinching 1st position and Number 10 platoon came 2nd. Number 2 platoon came 3rd position while the 4th position went to number 9 platoon.
The Camp Director, Mrs. Christianah Oluwatoyin Afolayan led some of the Principal Camp officials presented Mind the Gap Google digital certificate of participation and cheques to winners.
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