As part of 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility, BOG collaborated with the British Council and LEAP (Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism) Africa to participate in the Fast Forward Project. LEAP Africa is a non-profit organization committed to developing dynamic African leaders.
The Fast Forward Project, an initiative of the British Council and LEAP Africa, is an internship programme for students in public Senior Secondary Schools aimed at providing the students the opportunity to experience real work environment, practice acquired skills and gain new ones. A total of 18 students from different public secondary schools in Lagos and Port Harcourt interned in BOG. They were drawn from Gbaja Boys Senior High School (Surulere, Lagos); Government Technical College (Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos) and Community Boys Secondary School (Elelenwo, Rivers State).
During the internship programme, the students were actively engaged in tasks that tested their practical knowledge and understanding of core skills in the 21st century.
Apart from gaining first-hand experience of how a work environment is run, the students were also exposed to skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, innovation, values, moral ethics, vision and goal setting. Other areas of focus include self-confidence and awareness, time management, etiquette and personal grooming.
Furthermore, the interns were guided on choosing the careers that they would pursue in the nearest future. Each of them was assigned to mentors who guided them on the limitless opportunities that lie ahead of them. The interns were also given the opportunity to work with at least three different mentors to broaden their horizon.
Welcoming the students to BOG, the Human Resources Manager and co-ordinator of the project in BOG, Mrs. Jessy Eni, admonished them to make the most of the opportunity given to them. She also urged them to use the opportunity as a stepping stone to greater things to come in each of their individual and future career lives.
The students were also exposed to the use of computers. Many of them who hitherto could not use computers had the opportunity to do so. They were able to get familiar with Microsoft Office applications and general computer usage. To ascertain the effectiveness of the programme, each of the interns made presentations summarizing the two-week internship programme using Microsoft PowerPoint.
During the close out activities for the programme, BOG’s CEO, Kayode Thomas, charged the interns to believe in themselves and aim to become the best in their chosen endeavours. Responding, LEAP Africa Programmes Officer, Mr. Daniel Emenahor, expressed appreciation to BOG saying “I am very happy for the students because of the opportuinity they have had to participate in this project. I really appreciate BOG for giving them the opportunity to experience how a work environment operates”.
The students were filled with joy, delight and appreciation. They thanked BOG for giving them the opportunity to participate in the internship programme in the company, while also appreciating the British Council and LEAP Africa.
BOG CEO, Kayode Thomas, (3rd from left) with students from Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos in a group photograph.
Cross section of interns from Gbaja Boys Senior High School, Surulere, Lagos; their counsellor and mentors in a group photograph.
Cross section of interns from Community Boys Secondary School, Elelenwo, Rivers State; their counsellor and mentors in a group photograph.
L-R: Daniel Emenahor, Programmes Officer, LEAP Africa; Kayode Thomas, CEO of BOG; and Mrs. Theresa Odunukwe, Counsellor of Gbaja Boys High School, Surulere, Lagos, during the close out activities for Batch A interns in Lagos.
L-R: Samson Ogenehan, volunteer at LEAP Africa; Kayode Thomas, CEO of BOG; and Emmanuel Adeniran, Counsellor of Government Technical College, Ikeja, Lagos, during the close out activities for Batch B interns in Lagos.
Above: Fuad Hammed of Gbaja Boys High School, Surulere, reading about the company. Below: Kehinde David also of Gbaja Boys High School, Surulere, making a presentation as part of close out activities for the project.
Bello Adam and Michael Enikanoseun of Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, operating computer systems during the internship.
